Mayor talks out of both sides of his mouth

First I'd like to say to anyone who blames Kathy Russell or SOS for the current situation, you're nuts.

She just let people know what should have been public knowledge anyway. There's no way something like this should be kept secret. Not with $9.9 million of taxpayers money at stake.

Now had our "oh so wonderful" Mayor Acropolis not been so arrogant in the last election and let the Ice Palace be on the ballot, it might have been a done deal. Put the blame where it belongs. But remember, he said, "No, the only thing people will decide is who will be mayor, me or you."

And by the way, I think the only reason the council picked Kelly was so Acropolis could tie him to Scarpelli and have an easy election. He also made fun of Kelly about his 12-cent tax hike, but look, now Steve wants 10 cents. It would most likely be more if had we bought the Ice Palace.

Notice how this information comes out now after the deal fell through. Our wonderful mayor likes to shift the blame when things don't go his way, and of course his cronies always back him up.

The people had every right to know everything and vote on it. It is our money, not Steve's. Remember, he doesn't pay taxes until he's caught, that is.

Just to let you know, there was no way the Ice Palace was going pay for itself. Once we started adding more buildings at millions of dollars in today's economy with gas prices and home foreclosures, plus Steve's 10-cent tax increase, forget it! This is how we would get to the $25 million that Steve can't figure out.

Most people work two jobs just to get by. Not everyone in town plays hockey or needs a therapeutic pool. So what else would there have been to do? Maybe Steve had some magic seeds to grow buildings for free.

If the town wants to use a rundown old building, use the Foodtown site. We own that even though it should have been taken by eminent domain. At least when we were going to use it, there was going to be a lot more to do than just ice skate one hour a week, because of hockey, and maybe swim. All said and done, most likely it would have cost about the same.

I suggest people start paying attention to what Steve says, and then to what he does. He likes to talk out of both sides of his mouth. Maybe he should listen more and stop patting himself on the back so much. He says no more hiring of friends and family like the last mayor did, but he's done the same. All Republican friends and some favors for his Republican council members.

But that's what Republicans and Democrats do, favors for their own party and forget the people they work for. I think once in office, elected officials should come back to the human race. Leave the party name for election time. This is why I'm independent. I don't owe anybody anything. Sorry if I took him down a notch on your totem pole if you're a loyal follower

Dave Desiderio

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