Polka-dot affair is ‘get even' politics

To the editor:

You're joking, right?

Front page news! A petty squabble is started by a City Council member whose record of appearance of conflict of interest and impropriety is almost legendary.

The Herald published content of e-mails purporting to cite and interpret a city ordinance, without reporting the substance of the ordinance. You could have resolved the truth of the matter in minutes. Ordinance 2893 was established to administer traffic control, and Section 6 is clearly designed to prevent people or businesses from prohibiting or limiting public parking along any public street.

For Jeff Petry to parse commas and "or" in the ordinance and proclaim the shame of another council member is like Bill Clinton denying he had sex. A willfully ignorant opinion and a desire to play "get even" politics only works if repeated as though it were fact.

City Manager Steve Brocato's irresponsible, unprofessional behavior violated the integrity of the city manager's position. He was hired to manage the city insulated from politics, not to engage in politics.

Reporting out of context, the Herald failed to mention that Brocato incorrectly claimed the city withdrew its complaint against Beverly Calder for violating Ordinance 3030 (re: tables and chairs on sidewalk) and also failed to mention she won that dispute in court!

No competent prosecutor would claim chalk on the sidewalk violates a traffic ordinance. That threat requires a spurious interpretation of the ordinance. If Brocato wants to enforce the real meaning of the ordinance he should look to the private sign limiting parking in front of York's store rather than assist Petry in bullying and smear tactics.

If Steve Brocato can't refrain from politics, he should resign as City Manager and run for Council. The downtown carnival atmosphere of Miners Jubilee with decorations and signs everywhere make it clear any attempt to single out Bella's temporary decorations and advertising as inappropriate is selective harassment.

The Herald cooperated in a pointless smear by default. Please take the time to investigate and analyze the facts. Otherwise, you risk being as biased as the individuals who started the "polka-dot affair."

Clair Button

Baker City