09/01/03  Laura, Bolton and Boyd

Last Wednesday, I attended City Council because I was afraid there would be a lot of loud, outspoken people at the meeting.  I took off because I wanted someone present who supported the Mayor. 

I saw what I expected to see.

The room was filled to the max. The majority of the crowd had a mob mentality. People were yelling terrible derogatory things. I call it a mob mentality because I don?t think most in there would have behaved that way if they hadn?t been prompted by a few.

I was very proud of our Mayor. While people were name calling and holding terrible signs, she kept her composure and controlled the meeting. There were times when the ranting got out of hand, and she recessed the council.

I truly admire Laura Miller.  I sat there fuming while she was taking all the heat and Ted Benavides was not getting even half of the abuse. I wanted to get up and shake those people and verbally attack them as they were attacking the Mayor.  I know, however, it would be ridiculous for me to go to their level.

Laura explained how she called in to a radio station advising listeners if they wanted to make comments, to sign up at the city for the council meeting that day. She knew the negative things she was hearing on the radio station and the negative things she would hear at the council meeting. That did not deter her from listening to the people. She is not afraid of what people have to say.  I truly doubt most of us would invite angry people to a council meeting that is already expected to be unruly, but she wanted to know, the good and the bad. 

Laura Miller wants to do what?s best for our city.  By listening, she can hear what?s on people?s minds and make better decisions.

Laura is not perfect. She makes mistakes just like everyone else. The difference between her and others is that she admits her errors, learns from them and moves on. 

Terrell Bolton on the other hand, makes mistakes, blames others and feels he is being picked on. Bolton is no leader. It must have been a miserable four years for him -- out of his field of expertise, not a good decision-maker.  He continuously made bad decisions. Unfortunately, when he made a bad decision, it affected the entire city.

Bolton is trying to incite people to get upset and defend him. Let his record speak for itself.  His followers are taking up a fund for his attorney fees!  This man made more money than most police chiefs and certainly more than the people on his side.

Any respect I had for him early on is now completely gone. He and others are playing with people?s emotions, not their intellect, trying to make people feel sorry for him. Don't feel sorry for him. He deserved to be fired.

I wish people could put all this negative energy into to positive energy. We need to find a new Chief of Police. Race and gender don?t matter. Let?s find an individual who is qualified and can lead our police department.

I hope you are not ashamed of running and losing an election. People highly respect and admire you. It?s great that you stand for your convictions. You ran for council in that district because you thought you could make a difference. Unfortunately, you did not get enough of the votes. However, you can and do make a difference in your district and our city. Thank You!

Rena Fenner