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Mayor’s Report

March 2004

Unless plain speaking is allowed, clear thinking will be denied.  We’ve fallen prey to “Political Correctness” and thus become unrestrained by morality and common sense.  A good example can be seen in the fact that we don’t allow the Bible to be read in our schools, but do in prisons. 

 

Last month we watched a Florida predator take an 11 year-old girl by her arm and calmly lead her to her death.  We’ve gone to great lengths to insure this psycho’s (political correct version-criminally challenged) civil rights are not trampled, while we forgot Carlie Brucia’s right to life.  In the name of political correctness we’ve stood mutely as evil walks our streets openly and with boldness while we cower, doing the political two-step.  Just when we’re comfortable thinking this could only happen in Florida, our police arrest two local sexual predators charging them with no less then 50 felonies.  On the heels of that arrest, two more are arrested for endangering children with drugs involved. 

 

Political correctness has strangled this country to the point of death.  We all know there was a time in this Village when some operated with impunity.   Adults provided alcohol and drugs to minors without fear of prosecution.  As a result we’ve lost too many of our kids to drugs.  We feared to say anything out loud about this evil, only speaking of it in hushed tones, and only after looking to see who might be listening.      

 

Our village became a revolving door for police officers because of their opposition to “the list”.  The list included names of those who could not be stopped for traffic violations and whose homes or businesses could not be raided for illegal drug sales and/or use.  Our kids bought drugs out of the back of a local restaurant and across the counter of the video store.  These officers could not stomach the un-even application of the law, and sickened, they left.  

 

We’ve been convinced if we’re not politically correct we’re uncivilized and an atmosphere of guilt, fear, and intimidation soon follows.  Yet, history clearly tells us for every action there’s a consequence.  If we coddle those needing to be throttled we see the result in our children being lead away by the predators. Admittedly, I’m “politically challenged” making it difficult to say what is wrong and still be politically polite.  However, I shall give it my best effort.          

 

Donations to Friends of Smokey from Wal-Mart and others prompted letter after letter from this office requesting a copy of their financials, they’ve refused.  I’ve asked for their by-laws, they refused. The Village attorney has written asking the same.  In a letter dated January 5, 2004 their responded by saying, “Continued request by Mr. Sederwall constitute harassment under federal guidelines and will not be tolerated.”  The letter was signed “Board of Directors Friends of Smokey – Capitan, Inc.”  The board of directors is Van Shamblin, Benny Coker, and Debra Ingle.   Since, I’ve obtained a copy of their by-laws, and have learned the Village of Capitan is a “charter member” of Friends of Smokey.  Article V, reads; “The financial affairs of the organization shall be subject to review by the RC&D Council and by the officers and membership of the organization.  Specific areas of review are financial statements, organizational net worth and reports of income and expense.” With raised eyebrow and fear of being politically incorrect I offer no commentary on this issue.   

 

February 18^th in a “meet the candidate” forum at the school those running for Trustee were asked their stance on the police department.  Each candidate, without exception, said they backed a strong police department in Capitan.    

 

The September 16, 2003 meeting of the Trustee’s sparked a heated debate about hiring a fourth police officer.  The Trustee’s were divided into two factions on the issue.  Halfway thought the discussion Trustee Shearer made a motion to hire the officer and showed from what source the funding could be obtained.  The motion died for lack of a second.  The crowd was angry.  The majority of those in attendance wanted another police officer.  As the crowd was strongly telling the trustees what they thought, Leroy Montes made a motion to adjourn; John Whitaker quickly seconded the motion.  A roll call vote was taken.  Montes and Whitaker voted to adjourn while Shearer and Tippin voted to continue, I broke the tie by voting to continue.  The minutes read like this;

Leroy:  I’m leaving.

Someone in the Audience: Is this what we voted you in for?

Leroy:  What? This is exactly what you voted me in for.

Someone in the Audience: That’s what you get for nothing.

Someone in the Audience: Take it to the Polls.

Trustee Montes left the meeting for home and we continued the work. 

 

After averting a near riot, Trustee Shearer presented another way to fund the police officer and made yet another motion.  Trustee Tippin seconded this motion and a roll call vote was taken.  The minutes read: 

Kathryn: George Tippin, yes, John Whitaker, no, Bobbi Shearer, yes.

Bobbi: Leroy Montes, absent, so the ayes have it, correct?

 
The October 14, 2003, meeting of the Trustee’s three resolutions pertaining to the police department was on the agenda.  Resolution 2003-05, PERA, which is police retirement, the vote was Shearer, and Tippin, yes, Montes, and Whitaker, no.  I voted, yes and it passed.  Resolution 2003-17 to fund PERA, Shearer, Tippin, Sederwall, yes, Montes and Whitaker no, it passed.  Resolution 2003-19 to fund the new police officer failed for lack of a second.  After spending hours on this subject in September Trustee Tippin had changed his mind on the police officer issue.  No officer was hired. In the interest of being political correct I’ll provide no commentary to this issue.

 
Vote March 2, it’s your village, it’s your future.  Don’t allow predators to calmly lead your village away by the arm.