Post-Election Reflections

 Hello again, everyone.

Now that the election is over and the people have spoken, I think it is time to address some lingering issues that will not resolve themselves on Jan 1. But before I get to that I would like to share some thoughts on the outgoing members of the clown show.

Farewell to the Outgoing Members

Regina Maestri

Will not be missed. Not even a little bit. Even last night, she would not shut up. She blew past the 5-minute maximum for commentary, as always, and proceeded to badger city staff providing reports. Interrupting, insinuating, making false claims… my goodness but won’t it be wonderful not to have to listen to her when she is no longer sitting up there. I would say I feel sorry for her significant other once she loses her microphone, but I really won’t. He was paid well, up front, by her manipulations that funneled city contracts his way. So now he gets to pay on the back end, and the city gets a fair bidding process again without badgering and nagging. Another bonus, we get to see Elvis’ ridiculous hat collection again… err… maybe…

Dennis Flores

Still talking about PEDCO and still not explaining to anyone what his personal stake is in that organization. I will not miss his lack of ethics, inconsistencies or his bogus claims that he and his family are somehow being persecuted and targeted because of the color of their skin and something about Scandinavian children in zip ties… I’ll take Elvis and his hats over this mess any day.

The Remaining “Clowns”

Now that I have said my goodbyes, let’s get back to the other clowns:
As some of you may have noticed, Hot Dog was careful not to name the mayor in his complaints about the burned-out house on Routt. Instead, he swapped ‘the city’ for ‘the mayor’ when he complained that nobody was doing anything about the building.

The Routt House Facts

Let’s look at this from a factual perspective –

• The city is waiting on the appropriate permits and approval from the state to demolish the building due to the toxic materials (asbestos, etc.). A representative from the state very clearly explained this to the council roughly two months ago, in a televised meeting. He very clearly stated that ‘the city’ had done everything right and done everything that they could. Now they must wait for the proper permit and approval. There is nothing else, legally, that ‘the city’ can do.

• The health department refused to provide a roll-off container to Hot Dog for cleaning up that property for the reason listed above. This is why his dramatic show of cleaning up Bessemer fell flat. They told him he could not do it because it is against the law.

• The city of Trinidad had a similar situation, and they moved ahead with demolition without permits. Now, Trinidad is in big trouble and being sued by the state. While it is clear that Hot Dog does not care about his district unless it gives him a platform or he gains personally, I’m quite sure that the cost of being sued by the state would not be well received by taxpayers.

So Hot Dog is still clearly drinking his own hot dog water and nursing that grudge against the mayor who stood up to him and held him accountable for his bullying, bigotry and lies. The good thing is that, once again, the voters made it clear to him and his brother-from-another-mother that he doesn’t call the shots.

Council Leadership and Focus

It was also disappointing to see that, once again, the President of City Council failed to keep discussions focused on matters that directly impact Pueblo. The City Council chambers are not the appropriate forum for debating or attempting to dictate federal policy. While it is understandable that many people are frustrated with the state of national affairs, turning council meetings into platforms for heated political banter does nothing to move Pueblo forward.

Our local government’s purpose is to address Pueblo’s needs - public safety, infrastructure, economic development - not to engage in political rhetoric that undermines cooperation with other levels of government. Moreover, using that platform to make statements that could be interpreted as threats or to justify unequal enforcement of the law based on race is completely unacceptable. Justice and accountability must apply equally to everyone, without exception.

Call to Action for Bessemer Residents

Please understand that the work is not done. Specifically, for Bessemer residents. Hot Dog has his own best interest in mind with every decision he makes, and every lie and blame shift he throws out there. He set an example that I believe residents in Bessemer should consider - recall him. He has done nothing for his district except use it as a springboard for a power grab. If I am not mistaken it takes 1500 signatures or less to get the ball rolling. If Bessemer (and the city) wants change, change the one who is warming that seat.

Cranky the Clown

Another one for recall consideration - Cranky the Clown. Cranky was muted but still cranky on the dais. He tried to cover his attitude by calling it his ‘coaches voice’ - translation = bitter anger and bullying. The more time that passes, the more apparent it becomes that Cranky is a one trick pony with memory issues. In addition to his ridiculous voting escapade, he tells the same stories from the dais. He was a steel worker, grocery store worker, teacher, coach. His dream is to wander the streets at night with a group of vigilantes and the ability to name drop himself and call 911 with impunity. And one more thing - it is pronounced Pueblo, /ˈpweblō/, not Pee-eblo, not P’yeblo, not anakanasanabanana. For an educator, one would expect proper pronunciation. The East Side can do better than an angry senior citizen wandering the streets at night calling people names.

Moving Pueblo Forward

Pueblo took big strides in protecting its future by not only keeping the mayor, but by doing so with an undeniable majority voice. While this put the clown show on notice, the work is not done. Two clowns down, three to go.