From Deseret News archives:
Censuring councilman petty
According to published reports, the move was perceived as an end-run on the City Council and city administration. Mayor Bob Gray asked for Siwik's resignation. Siwik refused. Meanwhile, the City Council is mulling some sort of reprimand, which could include a censure. The City Council's censure resolution says Siwik, a three-term council member, "orchestrated a plan to create the illusion of a grass-roots movement in the city to disband the police department." News reports suggested the residents of South Salt Lake City might be better served by the Salt Lake Sheriff's Office rather than the city's police department.
It is difficult to parse through the political undertones of this controversy. Councilman John Weaver alleges that Siwik opposes the police department because the police association didn't endorse him in the last municipal election. The association was neutral on Siwik's race. It did endorse Mike Rutter, who ran against Herbert Goldhardt, who is Brian Goldhardt's father. Rutter won.
Yet, Siwik did nothing wrong by referring Goldhardt to the news media. An independent analysis is needed to determine whether the city's law enforcement needs would be better served by the county sheriff rather than a stand-alone police department, or if increasing the department's budget could improve response times and reduce the crime rate.
Meanwhile, censuring Siwik would serve little purpose. He did what he was elected to do serve his constituents. An important public policy has been raised. The City Council should concentrate its efforts on that.
Recent comments
Just as a side note�Siwik admitted to orchestrating this �grass...
Part 2 | Feb. 25, 2008 at 9:29 p.m.
More double standards�Just as an FYI�I don�t know how involved...
Part 1 | Feb. 25, 2008 at 9:22 p.m.
I find it interesting that Siwik is being censured by the Council for...
More double standards | Feb. 25, 2008 at 2:58 p.m.
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