I just watched the Decatur City Council meeting on television and I’m not sure what I just witnessed.  It was worse than a staged Jerry Springer chair toss; more unpleasant than a shoe worn two sizes too small;  more uncomfortable than an 18 hour bra worn for 18 days.

I’m pretty sure our property taxes won’t be going up due to an increase in the levy rate.  We may all pay double when our properties are assessed 200% more than they’re worth but that’s besides the point.  Bus rates will be going up 25 cents.  The library saw its funding cut – again.  The municipal band will be funded out of the general fund.  I’ll have to double-check in the morning if my facts and numbers are correct because I’m still recovering from the “fingernail scratching on a blackboard” feeling I have going up and down my spine.

The mayor seemed in a very grouchy mood.  He snipped at Adam Brown when Brown indicated he wouldn’t vote for any tax increase – as he promised his voters.  Mayor McElroy wanted to know what Brown’s solution would be if he couldn’t support any kind of increase.  Brown didn’t reply.

I was amazed by how little discussion there was before the vote.  I don’t particularly care for how little this current council elaborates on its decision making.  Maybe our previous council went overboard, and was at times windy, but at least I knew what they were thinking and why.  It seems like there’s much communication behind the scenes with this current bunch but very little communication for the public to digest – but after witnessing tonight’s episode that may be a good thing!  Maybe we don’t want to hear the conversations – just like we don’t want to hear a neighbor’s marital bliss implode into shouts, cursing, slamming car doors and screeching tires in the middle of the night.

And I’m not sure, but I think Mayor McElroy challenged Adam Ruderman to a duel tonight.  If shots ring out a high noon on Merchant Street tomorrow, we may make national news and for a change,  Jessie Jackson won’t be involved.  Ruderman, who was a city council candidate last go around, voiced his concerns over possible cutbacks in fire department personnel.  He said that even if a candidate promised they wouldn’t raise taxes during a campaign, it was sometimes necessary to break that promise if need be.  Obviously, the deep recession our nation fell into last year changed many things.

After Ruderman sat down in the audience Mayor McElroy, in a very unpleasant manor and visibly very ticked, pointed his finger at Ruderman and told him that it wasn’t fair to say firefighters would be laid-off due to the vote.  A muffled exchange took place.  I could hear what the mayor was saying, due to his microphone, but not Ruderman.  McElroy told Ruderman they would discuss it further later, possibly with brass knuckles and brickbats – okay I’m exaggerating but tonight’s council meeting was PAINFUL.

Rep. Bob Flider will be at the Ravina/Home Park Neighborhood Association’s meeting this Thursday.  This meeting is open to anyone who would like to come and listen. You do not have to live in the Ravina Park or Home Park neighborhoods to attend.

When: Thursday, Dec 10th 2009
Time: 7:00pm-8:00pm
Where: Oak Grove Church of the Nazarene, 1890 W. Garfield Ave.
Directions: From Ravina Park Road, turn South on Summit Ave.  The church is at the bottom of the hill on the corner of Summit and Garfield.

Rep. Flider’s office contacted our group and asked to come speak with us.  There isn’t any specific topic for the meeting, so if you have a question for Rep. Flider or just want to come and listen – stop by.