Trenton’s own “Missing Mayor,” Doug Palmer must be trying to outdo “Travelwhore” over at The Bald, the Fat, and the Angry.
Palmer recently returned from a trip to Africa where he was obviously studying on how to make Trenton a better third-world city.
Then it was off to Philly to expound on the crime problem in urban America (not that he considers how he continually rapes and plunders the city of Trenton for his own personal gain a crime).
In today’s Trentonian, L.A. Parker reports that Palmer just returned from a weekend meeting in Pittsburgh, PA preparing the platform for the upcoming Democratic National Convention in Denver. Palmer will be a delegate to the convention.
The big plum here is a position in the “White House Office on Urban Policy” that Senator Obama plans to create if he’s elected in November.
The purpose of the Urban Policy office would be “to develop a strategy for metropolitan America and to ensure that all federal dollars targeted to urban areas are effectively spent on the highest-impact programs." The director of urban policy will report directly to the president and coordinate all federal urban programs.
According to Parker, Doug practically drools at the thought of being named director.
Funny stuff.
Doug Palmer wants to be the guy who ensures that “all federal dollars targeted to urban areas are effectively spent.” Isn’t he the guy whose city has fallen deeper in the red while he deals out free cars and gas to cronies; hires consultants and aids without regard to budget restraints; and wastes hundreds of thousands of tax dollars fighting his own city council about upholding residency ordinances?
Parker writes, “The mayor said the city's infrastructure needs attention, adding that such development could boost employment and improve Trenton's economy.”
Uh, Doug, who let the infrastructure deteriorate to this point? And who is trying to sell off the one potential money making part of it (the water utility) for a one shot cash infusion?
Mr. Palmer is obviously suffering from road sickness and should stay home long enough to regain his senses.
Senator Obama, I hope you are grounded enough to not be dazzled and fooled by Doug Palmers big smile and expensive suits. The last thing you, or this country, needs is him as part of your "team."
5 comments:
Thanks for this insightful post. I know there are "haters" out there who don't want to jeopardize Palmer's potential for going to Washington next year, as it will free Trenton from his grip.
I want Palmer gone from Trenton, but also feel a great responsibility to let people "on the outside" know that a Palmer appointment of that magnitude would be a grave error for the country, particularly the urban areas.
I hope we succeed with both endeavors: keeping Palmer out of Washington in 2009, and sending him to Hunterdon County permanently in 2010.
Your welcome.
And, yes, many of us want Mr. Palmer gone from Trenton and the sooner the better.
However, sending him to Washington, D.C. as part of the Obama Cabinet or even to the State House as Lt. Governor is not a viable alternative.
Palmer must go away, far away, from having any public policy input...locally, statewide, or nationally.
But whatever Doug ends up doing will have to sound impressive, like a step up from mayor, or else we'll be STUCK WITH HIM FOR ANOTHER TERM!!!
I think some sort of compromise is in order here. Trenton should consider implementing a parlimentary form of government. Similar to the Queen of England, Palmer could look pretty, officiate at City functions, glad-hand the crowds, somethng he is quite good at. Meanwhile an elected prime-minister who actually understood something about how to make a city work, meet a budget etc. would be the administrative head of the city government. It would keep Palmer away from actual policy yet close enough to keep am eye on him to prevent him from causing any more mischief. Sounds like a win-win situation all around.
Yes, Doug wants something of equal or greater prestige and visibility to being Mayor of Trenton.
However, I don't think it is wise to grant him his wish just to get him out of town.
Regarding Palmer taking on the role of ceremonial figurehead, isn't that what he's been doing for the last 18 years?
It's a nice idea, but his ego will never allow for shared power.
Nope. He's got to go. The sooner the better, but no later than June 30, 2010.
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