The Clown Show Expands

The Clown Show Expands

The Chaos Continues

Hello again everyone,
It appears that it is time to add another clown to the clown show cast – Randy Thurston. For those of you who do not know, Randy is a failed politician. He is also, based on another person’s point of view, the kind of landlord that would leave you swimming in your own poopie rather than fix your plumbing. But we’ll leave the crappy part of him out for now. Let’s focus on some facts:

Election Losses and Changing Opinions

1. For those of you tuning in late, Randy was another one of the people who were crushed in the last mayoral election. He was the kind of candidate that simply drew some votes away from viable candidates who had a real shot. It was people like Randy, Regina Maestri and Dennis Flores who forced a run-off election and cost the taxpayers more money, even though they knew they had no chance.

   Not coincidentally, after they all suffered an embarrassing defeat, they want to abolish the mayor’s office, which brings me to my simple point – when Randy thought he could be mayor, strong mayor was a great idea. After he lost, he thinks strong mayor is a bad idea. Funny how that worked out, huh, Randy? I wonder… in an alternate universe where Randy actually won and became mayor, how many of you believe he would have begged the council and voters to go back to a city manager because he believes in that form of government so strongly?

The PBR Building Lie

2. This is something that I should not have had to point out as many times as I have – the city council bought the PBR building. Why are you recycling an already debunked lie, Randy? Even Councilor Boston, from the dais no less, pointed out that the mayor did not buy the building – the council did.

   This was the first time Gomez tried to lie about that and blame the mayor for the council’s expenditures. Certainly not the first time he has lied, just the first on this topic. This maneuver on your part, Randy - lying to dupe voters - is unconscionable and speaks to your lack of ethics and integrity.

   Let me break it down Barney style for you, Randy:
   The city council voted to buy the PBR building. The mayor did not buy the building.
   

   Repeat that 100 times.

The Real Clown Show

3. There is one thing we agree on – the city should not have to have their council referred to as a clown show. I agree. This is where our limited agreement ends.

   Let’s recap:

   • One councilor is acting out a vendetta because he was held accountable by the mayor, now trying to install one of the most crooked politicians in Pueblo’s history back in the city manager position, even before the vote is counted.

   • Another councilor shares pockets in a personal relationship with PEDCO. I’m not sure whose hands are in whose pockets, but the stated personal nature of their relationship is a real problem for Pueblo.

   • Another councilor is angling and funneling contractor jobs to her contractor boyfriend and other contractor buddies - still trying to overturn the proper, approved bidding process for contractor jobs like the A/C unit for the Municipal Justice Center.

   • Another councilor is wandering the streets at night calling 911 and harassing city employees, telling them how to vote.

   • Council President continues to misuse his position by blurring the line between public service and personal interest. His repeated bias from the dais, targeted political attacks, and willingness to allow unethical behavior within the council have further eroded public trust. Leadership means setting the tone for integrity, not enabling misconduct.

   Many of these things are potentially criminal and subject to civil lawsuits. The term “clown show” fits well - and Puebloans see it clearly.

Time to End the Show

If you, Gomez, and Aliff want to tear up over this one, be thankful I haven’t used the more appropriate R-rated adjectives you deserve. Stop lying. Yes, Randy, that includes you. Photo ops with respected businessmen don’t make you one - they just make you crooked and desperate to be relevant.

To the voters of Pueblo: if you want the clown show analogies to stop, stop the clown show.

For those on the dais – step down. Since that’s unlikely, the only real way to end it is simple:

Vote them out of office