Is Now the Time for the Mayor to take a Position on the New Government Center?

The Building Committee, the Council, the Concerned Citizens, and individuals have all had a variety of positions for and against the location, scale, and scope of the new government center, but none have argued that we need to keep workers sick and in the doctor's office.

Yet twice now Mayor Keller has stated his only comment on the new government center is that he supports the health and safety of the workers and we have a Committee to determine what to build and where to build it.

To me the Mayor is the only person taking a political position in this debate. It is a shame that the leader of the community, our figurehead, will not state whether he favors the current proposal or not. Based on his comments, one can only assume that the Mayor supports the plan presented by the committee, but why doesn't he come out and say it? Maybe he will after the revised Building Committee and Citizen's Committee proposals are presented on Monday.

I hope he does. This is a time for leadership.

Considering his position, which he presents as a challenge, I am left to wonder - who is against the health and well being of the municipal workers and police officers?

Let me do him one further - let's include the health and well-being of all workers' and officers' families.

And here is why if you live in the borough (or anywhere else for that matter) you should care:

1. Many of us know at least some of these people, their families, parents, siblings, or friends.
   
2. If they are healthy, they are doing their job, which is to help us, serve us, and protect us.
3. If they are healthy, and their family is healthy, they will not be taking as much time off work or using their medical insurance as often. Less usage results in lower costs. These costs are paid by tax dollars.

Putting personal friendships and common decency aside, in the most Hobbesian sense, we want them healthy so they can work for us, protect us, and save us money.

It is wrong to play politics at a time when leadership is needed. The issue has clouded common sense and this cloud needs to be lifted so we can turn a problem into an opportunity, but that won't happen without leadership. The Mayor is the ideal candidate for this job.

What do you think? Is it time for the Mayor to step-up and take a position? Should he be working to bring all parties together? Is this not his role? While he doesn't vote should he go on record? Does it make a difference either way?

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