Norfolk
Not that my opinion holds any signifigance, but I rather like Norfolk's new Vice Mayor, Anthony Burfoot. He has a good record of working to better the city and a pleasent countenance. You can see in his face that he is a thoughtful man, albeit a little uncomfortable with his new-found fame... Not that I blame him; there have been threats made to his life and he has been called every name in the book for assuming this position.
Of course not all of you know about the controversy surrounding him inheriting the job, so I'll give you the abridged version. Paul Riddick used to be Vice Mayor, but was removed from office. Why? Because he was cited by police for keeping his yard junked up and trashed. He decided to retaliate by making public statements that "Norfolk police need to stop killing black citizens". He said that he "wanted to make a difference" in the city concerning the safety of its citizens.
Okay, Mister Riddick. I understand that life is not always ideal for black citizens, but it isn't always ideal for immigrant citizens, low income citizens, female citizens, military citizens, muslim citizens and for the numerous other citizens whose race/religion/orientation/etc. I'm sure I've forgotten to mention... But that is what being a public servant is all about. You work to make the lives of the citizens of your city better-- not induce fear and anger and raise the racial tension any higher than it already was. Consider this: As a parent would you ever air your dirty laundry with a friend/co-worker/neighbor to your children? If you saw someone else doing it, what would you think of them? Your personal vendetta was taken too far and has now spilled out into the streets. You were in a position of power in the city, and as a leader who is supposed to have a greater knowledge of how politics/public services/the system etc. works, you were expected to be responsible and to act in the best interest of the people. You did not. How do you think your comments effected the uneducated or ignorant or inexperienced? How do you think it effected people who had recieved a few hard knocks in life due to their own foolishness or bad luck and were looking for someone to blame other than themselves or an unpleasent fate? Certainly there are folks who were treated horribly and needed protection, those are who you needed to be there for; but you could have done so with a great deal more maturity, and not because you were cited for breaking a law that you, as Vice Mayor, were meant to help enforce.
Just admit you were a slob, that you were wrong, pay your fine, and let it go. Set a good example for the city instead of acting like a petulant child. There is nothing wrong with wanting black people treated fairly and equally; I don't doubt that there are a few bad cops out there.... Most forces have at least one with less than virtuous intentions... However your comments are hurting the rest of the police officers who are doing their best to keep an already racially-tense city at peace. They are hurting the people and their children's trust in the justice system. Again, not perfect and there is nothing wrong with constantly seeking improvement, but if the public doesn't trust, then chaos and crime will take charge and there will be no protection for anyone.
Despite the fact that all this mud-slinging and childish behavior is coming one of our city leaders, what really broke my heart was when I read about a child saying "No police officers better ever come near me!" when he was asked about his opinion of the situation.
Yes Mister Riddick. You sure have made a difference.
Of course not all of you know about the controversy surrounding him inheriting the job, so I'll give you the abridged version. Paul Riddick used to be Vice Mayor, but was removed from office. Why? Because he was cited by police for keeping his yard junked up and trashed. He decided to retaliate by making public statements that "Norfolk police need to stop killing black citizens". He said that he "wanted to make a difference" in the city concerning the safety of its citizens.
Okay, Mister Riddick. I understand that life is not always ideal for black citizens, but it isn't always ideal for immigrant citizens, low income citizens, female citizens, military citizens, muslim citizens and for the numerous other citizens whose race/religion/orientation/etc. I'm sure I've forgotten to mention... But that is what being a public servant is all about. You work to make the lives of the citizens of your city better-- not induce fear and anger and raise the racial tension any higher than it already was. Consider this: As a parent would you ever air your dirty laundry with a friend/co-worker/neighbor to your children? If you saw someone else doing it, what would you think of them? Your personal vendetta was taken too far and has now spilled out into the streets. You were in a position of power in the city, and as a leader who is supposed to have a greater knowledge of how politics/public services/the system etc. works, you were expected to be responsible and to act in the best interest of the people. You did not. How do you think your comments effected the uneducated or ignorant or inexperienced? How do you think it effected people who had recieved a few hard knocks in life due to their own foolishness or bad luck and were looking for someone to blame other than themselves or an unpleasent fate? Certainly there are folks who were treated horribly and needed protection, those are who you needed to be there for; but you could have done so with a great deal more maturity, and not because you were cited for breaking a law that you, as Vice Mayor, were meant to help enforce.
Just admit you were a slob, that you were wrong, pay your fine, and let it go. Set a good example for the city instead of acting like a petulant child. There is nothing wrong with wanting black people treated fairly and equally; I don't doubt that there are a few bad cops out there.... Most forces have at least one with less than virtuous intentions... However your comments are hurting the rest of the police officers who are doing their best to keep an already racially-tense city at peace. They are hurting the people and their children's trust in the justice system. Again, not perfect and there is nothing wrong with constantly seeking improvement, but if the public doesn't trust, then chaos and crime will take charge and there will be no protection for anyone.
Despite the fact that all this mud-slinging and childish behavior is coming one of our city leaders, what really broke my heart was when I read about a child saying "No police officers better ever come near me!" when he was asked about his opinion of the situation.
Yes Mister Riddick. You sure have made a difference.