This week, Indianola’s citizens found out what their voices mean to three members of the city’s Board of Aldermen.
Absolutely zilch.
A large and diverse group of citizens showed up to Monday night’s meeting to speak on behalf of Indianola’s top volunteer, Robin Rosenthal.
One after the other marched to the podium to sing the praises of Rosenthal, who resigned as director of Keep Indianola Beautiful two weeks ago.
Prior to that, Alderman Marvin Elder had broken normal protocol during the public portion of a board meeting, revealing that Rosenthal is apparently under investigation for her frequent use of the city’s credit card.
Without providing context, such as the fact that no evidence exists that she abused the card or profited from her volunteer position, Elder made it seem as if the board had caught Rosenthal in an elaborate scheme to embezzle money from the city.
In contrast, the Keep Indianola Beautiful organization has saved the city countless man hours and millions of dollars. The organization is also being considered for a national award, after winning the Mississippi Municipal League’s Spirit Award this year.
But this isn’t really about Robin Rosenthal or Keep Indianola Beautiful.
This is about the continued pattern of gotcha politics that has existed since this board was sworn in back in January.
Instead of focusing on an agenda of unification, which was called for by multiple citizens Monday night, Aldermen Elder, Sam Brock and Reuben Woods have decided to push an agenda of vengeance and mean spiritedness.
Robin Rosenthal is just the latest victim.
Each week, The E-T tries to give an accurate picture of what goes on at public board meetings, and some often find what is said hard to believe, but on Monday night, a large group of citizens got to witness this agenda in action.
The three aldermen have proven they cannot place reason above agenda.
Doing what is best for the city is an inadvertent result, and that can only come so long as it does not interfere with their vengeance.
When a motion was made by Alderman Gary Fratesi - seconded by Darrell Simpson - to write a letter of apology to Robin Rosenthal and ask her to consider continuing her service to the city, Elder, Brock and Woods voted nay.
A dejected and disappointed group that had shown up to voice their opinions learned a hard lesson.
Men who were voted in to lead this city and to make the best decisions for the community have no qualms about ignoring the voice of their constituents, and they care even less about the appearance of their city.
Since it looks as if Robin Rosenthal is no longer welcome in the Keep Indianola Beautiful organization, the board is going to need to run a Want Ad to find her replacement.
I’ll give you one on the house this week.
Wanted
Keep Indianola
Beautiful Director
Must be willing to volunteer over 400 hours without compensation. Must save the city $3.4 million, while assembling over 350 volunteers. Must be willing to do manual labor that includes using a pole saw, cutting tree limbs, planting thousands of flowers and trees and cleaning trash out of ditches. Candidate may be asked to do more if needed.
