By Wren Stratton
This is to all those who would like to blame what they perceive are problems with Muskogee on those ghost creatures called, “good old boys.”
Who exactly are you talking about?
Is it the good old boys’ fault that we have more poverty in this community than many others? Look at stats, such as how our poverty level is 23 percent higher than the state rate, or the incidences of confirmed child abuse are 91 percent higher than the state rate, or our teenage pregnancy rate is 17 percent higher than the state (figures from State of the State’s Health, 2001 report).
Tell me again that this community hasn’t grown because of the good old boys, and I will remind you that the good old boys are you.
The percentage of citizens who voted in this community during the last mayoral election was embarrassing low. Everybody wants this community cleaned up until the cleanup includes them being accountable for their own property. Then it’s the “good old boys” fault they are being picked on.
If you don’t like who you elected, elect someone better. Better yet, run yourself.
But do not sit back and pat yourself on the back for being such a great citizen and blaming all our troubles on some group that doesn’t even exist. That’s the copout answer to some very complicated issues.
You want to review the charter. Review the charter.
But don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater.
You want good old boys for real? Go to a strong-mayor system.
This community must have a manager who knows how to run the business of a city. I couldn’t have done it, and very few of the past mayors could have.
Nor do I believe our current mayor could handle it without the manager.
If there was any doubt in my mind — and there wasn’t — the ice storm of 2007 would have erased it. Our manager and public works director were recognized at a state level for their work on debris management, the bidding process for clean up and the speed with which this community was functioning again — a job well done because of their knowledge and experience.
Of course, the city employee union and firefighter’s union leadership want a change in governance.
Do you suppose it would be easier to bully someone who is dependent on that block of votes for election than the man appointed to manage the city’s assets?
Please remember, unlike Tulsa, it’s been many years since we have seen layoffs of city employees. Good management reflected in union negotiations is the reason.
Call your council representative and let him or her know your thoughts.
While you have their attention, give them some ideas on how to improve our city, when they get time to think about something besides charter review.
Forgive me for giving in to the need to write.
I just got fed up listening to one more good-old-boy comment from one more of the good old boys.
Wren Stratton was mayor of Muskogee from May 2006 to May 2008.
