City Hall Split
[ Excerpted from SBN-P, 7/31/2005 ]
What a difference four years makes: Alliances have shifted as the election nears and struggles over leadership have altered the city's political landscape.
In the center is one woman: Iya Falcone...
In at least three separate incidents, she's managed to upset colleagues on the council, including the mayor, Mr. Horton and City Councilman Das Williams.
"There is a fear of disagreeing with her," said Mrs. Blum. "She has a strong personality that makes it hard to work with her."
... Much political criticism of Ms. Falcone stems from her behavior behind the scenes.
... The mayor said Ms. Falcone creates an environment around City Hall that "you are either with us or against us."
... Mr. Williams says his problems with Ms. Falcone began with Proposition 1A, an initiative on the November 2004 ballot that stopped the state government from taking money from local governments.
Mr. Williams says he felt pressured by Ms. Falcone to endorse Prop. 1A.
He claims that Ms. Falcone suggested to him that his chances of getting future endorsements from police and fire unions would be hurt if he didn't support the measure.
"She gave me the impression that you better be careful; this is really important to police and fire; and if you are not with us, you are against us," Mr. Williams said.
A surprised Mr. Williams said he promptly got on the phone with Capt. Gary Pitney, then-president of the Firefighters Association, and asked if his support of the measure would make a difference in future endorsements.
"The conversation was real simple," Capt. Pitney said. "His tone of voice was almost like he was letting us down. He was asking if this was going to hurt our relationship."
... Mr. Williams, who even gave an early $25 donation to the Prop. 1A campaign, said his only opposition to Prop. 1A was that he was concerned about schools because the measure did not protect them from state raids.
He said he didn't mind disagreeing with Ms. Falcone over Prop. 1A, but didn't like feeling pressured.
Mr. Williams isn't endorsing Ms. Falcone. She didn't endorse him when he ran two years ago. He is also trying to raise campaign money for some of her opponents in the race...
WHO'S RUNNING
While 14 people have pulled papers for a possible run for office, the following candidates have active campaigns and have publicly announced plans to run. The filing deadline is Aug. 12.
Mayor:
Marty Blum
City Council (three seats):
Dianne Channing
Iya Falcone
Roger Horton
Grant House
Loretta Redd
POWER PLAYS
What a difference four years makes: Alliances have shifted as the election nears and struggles over leadership have altered the city's political landscape.
In the center is one woman: Iya Falcone...
In at least three separate incidents, she's managed to upset colleagues on the council, including the mayor, Mr. Horton and City Councilman Das Williams.
"There is a fear of disagreeing with her," said Mrs. Blum. "She has a strong personality that makes it hard to work with her."
... Much political criticism of Ms. Falcone stems from her behavior behind the scenes.
... The mayor said Ms. Falcone creates an environment around City Hall that "you are either with us or against us."
... Mr. Williams says his problems with Ms. Falcone began with Proposition 1A, an initiative on the November 2004 ballot that stopped the state government from taking money from local governments.
Mr. Williams says he felt pressured by Ms. Falcone to endorse Prop. 1A.
He claims that Ms. Falcone suggested to him that his chances of getting future endorsements from police and fire unions would be hurt if he didn't support the measure.
"She gave me the impression that you better be careful; this is really important to police and fire; and if you are not with us, you are against us," Mr. Williams said.
A surprised Mr. Williams said he promptly got on the phone with Capt. Gary Pitney, then-president of the Firefighters Association, and asked if his support of the measure would make a difference in future endorsements.
"The conversation was real simple," Capt. Pitney said. "His tone of voice was almost like he was letting us down. He was asking if this was going to hurt our relationship."
... Mr. Williams, who even gave an early $25 donation to the Prop. 1A campaign, said his only opposition to Prop. 1A was that he was concerned about schools because the measure did not protect them from state raids.
He said he didn't mind disagreeing with Ms. Falcone over Prop. 1A, but didn't like feeling pressured.
Mr. Williams isn't endorsing Ms. Falcone. She didn't endorse him when he ran two years ago. He is also trying to raise campaign money for some of her opponents in the race...
WHO'S RUNNING
While 14 people have pulled papers for a possible run for office, the following candidates have active campaigns and have publicly announced plans to run. The filing deadline is Aug. 12.
Mayor:
Marty Blum
City Council (three seats):
Dianne Channing
Iya Falcone
Roger Horton
Grant House
Loretta Redd
POWER PLAYS
Posted by Malcolm on
8/03/2005
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