Public Apology to 5 Council Colleagues
I want to apologize to Councilors Cronin, Derrivan, Jones, O’Brien, and Sullivan. I am sorry for hurting you.
By way of background, in my last blog post, I wrote about proposed legislation to create a local historic district that was referred to a subcommittee for deliberation. I singled out my colleagues for not referring it. I was too emotional and didn’t check my facts.
Councilor Cronin commented, in part:
What is more distressing is your statement that “…five councilors voted against merely referring it to committee. They essentially told you, in no uncertain terms, that they were opposed to the proposal and would fight it…” which is nothing less than a false and capricious statement concerning my stance. You Sir have already taken a position on a matter which is not in final form but that position is yours to take. Advocate for your position but I will not stand idly by as you write what you so pretentiously pretend to know about my stance.
He is correct.
I do not know his stance. I know his vote but I do not know the background behind his vote. And that is where I err.
It is healthy for elected councilors to disagree — but not at the cost of creating disharmony among councilors.
I started this blog in June 2009 when I initially campaigned for this office. Over the course of nearly 300 blog posts since, I have opened my heart and shared my perspective on a variety of issues and initiatives affecting the city. But that last blog post went too far. In hindsight, I would have written it differently.
To my 5 colleagues, who I consider friends, I am sorry. I hope we can continue to work together on issues affecting the people who elected us.
Ari:
Thank you for your post. It takes courage to stand for what you believe in, courage to write about and even more courage to say “I’m sorry”. This is a hot button topic for all of us and emotions are running high.
Apology is graciously accepted and I look forward to working with you on many issues in the future.
Bob
Ari,
Thanks for emailing me regarding this. It seems, under the circumstance, you’ve handled the situation well.
My only observation is that, no matter what ones position on the underlying issue, there seems to be way too much “emotion” revolving around it. I also wonder if, regardless of what one thinks about the proposed regulation, the “process” thus far has been our best effort. (That said, I’m sure those involved would handled things differently if had they the chance. Live & learn from ones mistakes & missteps is probably a good adage for those involved in local government; or virtually anything else in life.)
As you know, I sometimes don’t agree with you but appreciate you keeping me updated about your public service.
Jack
Ari–I agree with Bob — It took courage to apologize— Happy to know that harmony can still exist– I thank the two of you for your service— Bill
Ari,
Nice apology and perhaps it was required.
However, Councilor Cronin’s reply rambled on ad nauseum and more to the point it had such a mean spirited and extremely pompous tone that he lost me at ” First and foremost since we have not conversed on my thought process”. Ugh. Having said this, I have not met Mr. Cronin and perhaps he is a nice guy who just had a rant get away from him. It happens.
When I read your initial post I thought WOW, OUCH! Nice to see you come forward and fix the ouch. As was said, takes courage to admit when one errs, especially when it’s a public misstep. I have a hard enough time just telling my wife I’m sorry
Democracy is inherently messy, but sometimes the mess yields unexpected clarity by forcing discourse that otherwise never would have happened. May this be a such a time.
Air — that e-mail to you was not from bill Harris it was from me sorry — bill