I am one of the many who is growing weary of the double talk, political spinning and blame game which generates atop City Hall.
Most recently Mayor Bob Newell made rather flippant comments concerning a $100,000 settlement paid to a Parkersburg man for alleged police brutality. In July of this year another similar case was settled for $70,000.
Newell commented this was insurance company money and they can do with it what they want. This comment is an insult to the taxpayers of Parkersburg. In 2008-09 the city paid $564,738 for liability insurance and the most recent fiscal year the city is paying $625,120 for liability insurance. Every year the insurance company will evaluate their loss ratio. If the losses are high, then they simply raise the premiums paid by the city, thus taxpayer dollars are at risk.
Police incidents do sometimes occur. Overall we have outstanding police officers. However, if a situation arises when the officers are right, then the city should stand behind the officers to the bitter end. If there was some type of improper action, then admit, remedy and move on.
I suspect these settlements had more to do with political consideration and Newell providing political spin in an effort the absolve or distance himself and administration from the cases. I found it odd the most recent case was settled just a few days before Newell was to be deposed.
On a related note, I read more Newell "spin" that police need to work on drug activity. I find it amazing for the past 10 years (four as police chief and six years as mayor) Newell is finally realizing there is a drug problem to be addressed. Who will he blame? The sheriff? The prosecutor? The drug task force or is this just more 2012 political spin?
Rick Modesitt
Parkersburg
.xg_widget_main .module_blog .blogpost:hover,.xg_widget_main .module_forum div.vcard div.topic:hover {border:1px solid #ccc;border-radius:50px;-moz-border-radius:50px;-webkit-border-radius:50px;-webkit-box-shadow:6px 6px 10px #ccc;-moz-box-shadow:6px 6px 10px #ccc;box-shadow:6px 6px 10px #ccc;width:535px;-ms-filter:"progid:DXImageTransform.Microsoft.Shadow(Strength=4, Direction=135, Color='#000000')";filter:progid:DXImageTransform.Microsoft.Shadow(Strength=4,Direction=135,Color='#000000');-webkit-transform:scale(1.25);-moz-transform:scale(1.25);-webkit-transition:all .6s ease-out;-moz-transition:all .6s ease-out;
z-index:999999;background-color:#fff;padding:1em;}
You need to be a member of Parkersburg Tea Party to add comments!
Join Parkersburg Tea Party