OPINION: Bickering among council, mayor not promising for Florence

Florence City Council has turned meetings into marathons since Mayor Stephen J. Wukela was elected and started presiding over the body charged with the representing the 30,000 people living in the city limits.
By packing the agenda every month with controversial issues, from a proposed curfew for students to a public referendum on nonpartisan elections, the council has attempted to tackle tough issues during the backdrop of a recession.
Local politicians have few, if any, plums to offer constituents. Talk of a tax increase seems to be the only solution to build a new fire station and hire more police officers, two pressing issues facing the city.
The tension has been increased by the mayor’s political differences with conservative members of the council and now a spontaneous run-in with Councilman Ed Robinson.
At Monday’s regular meeting, Robinson’s pet projects were shoved aside. Council postponed action on the curfew and didn’t include funding in a proposed capital budget for a teen center Robinson championed.
“This is insane,” Robinson said. “Absolutely insane. And black people; if ya’ll sit back and let this happen, you deserve what you get. These folks are totally raping us, and I can’t sit here and let that happen without going crazy.”
Robinson punctuated his outburst by pounding his fist.
The tirade was not his last.
Later, as council members discussed appointments to the Housing Board of Adjustments, Robinson blew up again, leading to a showdown with Wukela, who’s usually in Robinson’s camp.
“These qualifications (for board members) need to be redone, because the people who live in these areas and are going to be affected by these things don’t meet the qualifications. You’re going to fine them and tell them how to live and take away their property without giving them any representation,” Robinson said. “Do you know what you’re doing to me? Do you know what you’re doing to my people?
Wukela tried to calm Robinson down, to no avail, as reported in Tuesday’s Morning News.
“Councilman, Councilman Robinson,” Wukela said.
“No, no. You’re not going to cut me off,” Robinson said. “I ain’t gonna stop. I’m gonna get my time to talk.”
“Councilman Robinson, you’ve already had extended opportunities to speak,” Wukela said.
“Well I’m going to get more extended time,” Robinson said, pounding his hand on the dais. “I’m going to talk as long as I want to talk.”
“Councilman, you’re out of order,” Wukela said. “This is a matter of decorum. I am the chairman of this meeting. Come to order, please.”
“No, I won’t allow you to do that,” Robinson said. “You ain’t gonna stop me. I’m going to talk as long as I want to. You do what you got to do.”
First of all, Robinson was out of order and probably was close to being escorted out of the building.
Secondly, Wukela need to meet and talk about Robinson’s filibusters. Robinson doesn’t need the floor for 15 minutes to pontificate on every issue.
If he continues to allow Robinson and fellow council member Billy D. Williams to hog the microphone, Wukela is going to find himself stripped of the council chairmanship, with it rotating between all members.
This council has been battling with the capital budget for months. It’s time to settle on one. If a teen center isn’t possible this year, make it a priority for 2010-11.
Robinson needs to realize he’s responsible for the city as a whole — not just District 2 — in his role as a councilman. It is his job to being the advocate for his constituents, but his outbursts are turning off the other council members and hurting his relationship with the mayor.
The continuing bickering between the mayor and council doesn’t look promising for downtown development. What CEO would invest millions in a business downtown when council member have trouble conducting business and getting along with each other?
Yes, Robinson is right to raise issues on behalf of his voters. No, it’s not appropriate for him to rant and rave about being outvoted.
The game of politics is an art. It requires reaching a consensus. The lengthy meetings and personality clashes are taking a toll on the participants, and it’s obvious to anyone looking in from the outside.

— Unsigned editorials represent the views of this newspaper. Editorial Board members are Mark Laskowski (regional publisher), James Bennett (regional editor), Sam Bundy (sports editor), Kimberly Ginfrida (news editor), David Johnson (regional circulation director), Charles Tomlinson (Lake City News & Post editor) and Jackie Torok (metro editor).