ELECTION AND PUBLIC SERVICE *****8:17 a. m., Sunday, April 18, 2004
Washington Business and Technology Institute (WBTI)
http://communitylink.reviewjournal.com/lvrj/wbtiFor the Mayor, we're concerned about him
By PAI of WBTI*1
Through the courtesy of "Las Vegas Review-Journal," the following of its editorial on April 18, 2004 is post:
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Sunday, April 18, 2004
Copyright @ Las Vegas Review-Journal
EDITORIAL: 'I have a very bad temper'
Colorful Mayor Oscar Goodman seems a bit on edge lately
(Photo shown) Goodman: Lashing out
The mayoralty -- especially the mayoralty of a "show biz" town such as Las Vegas -- does not require the sober demeanor of an undertaker.
Mayor Oscar Goodman has been known to host appearances by the California Raisins and aging do-wop groups at his weekly news conferences. Many a visiting television show and even some appropriate motion picture productions have invited the city's colorful chief executive to put in a cameo appearance.
Whether or not Mr. Goodman should plan on a third career before the cameras (don't give up the day job, Mr. Mayor), his antics can be entertaining. He has a die-hard following among the public who argue that even when these extracurricular activities border on the outrageous -- so long as it's all in good fun -- anything that keeps our town in the public eye is all to the good.
All true, up to a point.
But since the state Ethics Commission decided back on April 2 that the evidence is sufficient to justify holding hearings to determine whether the mayor improperly used his office to promote his son's business, Mr. Goodman's behavior has given cause for concern.
The mayor lashed out at the Ethics Commission members during a hastily called April 2 news conference, and then stormed out of a subsequent April 8 press conference after only a few minutes, refusing to answer questions about the ethics allegations.
He has appeared combative, bombastic and barely under control.
The mayor seems to believe the ethics charges are a petty matter, blown out of proportion by prospective rivals who are manipulating the process to damage him or keep him out of the 2006 gubernatorial race.
Even if that were true (and leaving aside whether such a statewide bid would be politically wise, which is a whole 'nother question), the mayor couldn't be serving his opponents any better than by his current behavior.
Incumbent politicians will always draw criticism, attacks and inquiries, some justified and some not.
The mayor seems to be aware of the underlying problem. "I lost my temper the other day," he says. "I have a very bad temper. I see it as a fault."
A competent attorney in his own right, the mayor surely knows the old adage that a lawyer who represents himself has a fool for a client. He would be well advised to find some counsel to do an independent evaluation of the assertions against him, and to give him some professional advice as to the best response.
His public has a large capacity for forgiveness, should the time come for him to admit errors in judgment -- especially if they were motivated by concern for his family.
But the worst error in judgment would be to continue on his present course.
For his own good, Mr. Goodman would be well advised to tone it down a notch.
***The views expressed above are those of the "Las Vegas Review-journal".*3
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References
*1. PAI of WBTI is the initial of Public Administration Institution (PAI) of Washington Business and Technology Institute (WBTI).
*2. Editorial. 'I have a very bad temper,' "Las Vegas Review-Journal," (April 18, 2004), Las Vegas, Nevada: LVRJ.
*3. Ibid.
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