Council stands behind Goudey

The City Council what seems like hours ago now - wait, it WAS hours ago now - approved the re-appointment of Cliff Goudey to the Waterfront Trust.

I don't envy them, having to make this decision. Council chambers was packed with people, most of whom stayed silent.

And those who stayed silent and who opposed the appointment paid for their silence.

Apparently what Brian Derrivan said a few weeks ago about people showing up to voice their opinion really is a deciding factor for some people.

Steve Hutcheson said he had come prepared to vote against the appointment, but that listening to the people speaking in favor of Goudey - including former Mayor Mary Anne Clancy, who appointed Goudey in the first place - swayed him in the other direction.

What looked like the entire Harbor Commission sat together and appeared glum. Not one of them spoke.

Voting against the appointment were Derrivan, Tom Jones, Larry McCavitt and Tom O'Brien.

I have to say, I agree with McCavitt that almost everyone on the council who said why they would vote the way that they did made excuses for Mr. Goudey ("oh, that's the way it was done before," "oh, he didn't file financial documents but I'm sure it can be worked out").

That was more paraphrasing than actual quotes, but again - I hope this all works out and we don't end up with a big sweeping drive through the park and the Waterfront Trust disbanded because they don't really own the land anyway (or so hints City Hall).

I wonder if any of those councillors even read what people in question said to the newspapers?

Oh, well, we surely have not heard the last of this.