Corn can be prepared in many ways...

Before I dive into the subject matter at hand, I want to share one of my favorite movie scenes of all time:



So, Councilman Michael Savary formally took his seat this evening at our [Borough of Alpha] Council Re-Organization Meeting.  For those of you following the story, you know that I was disgusted with his campaign tactics and his unfair attack on (now former) Councilman Lou Pettinelli.  If you're not familiar with what went down, here's the gist: Mr. Savary distributed a flyer (without the necessary 'paid for by' disclaimer language required by law) around Alpha vilifying Mr. Pettinelli for taking payments in-lieu of the offered state health benefits (the payments are 50% of the actual cash value of the benefits).  What was odd about the accusation was the fact that when Mr. Savary previously served on Council, he took those same benefits!  Shocking, right?  Well, it gets better.  You would assume that Mr. Savary would now turn down those very same benefits upon his election to Council.  Wrong!  I issued a rebuttal to Mr. Savary's illegal campaign flyer and asked that he make a pledge to refuse the medical benefits and opt out from receiving the payments.  So here we are today and according to The Express-Times (January 6, 2010):

Savary strongly criticized the program during the 2009 campaign, lambasting former Councilman Louis Pettinelli for taking cash in lieu of coverage.  Savary admitted to taking the benefits when he served on council in the past, saying he disagreed with the option of accepting money instead of benefits.

"But it's not like you can vote for one and not the other," Savary said after Tuesday's meeting.

The councilman explained that as a small business owner he was in need of the health benefits and intends to enroll in the state plan.

I have to take offense to his explanation that he is need of health benefits because he is a small business owner.  My father is a small business owner and purchases his own benefits.  Why can't Mr. Savary do the same?

Hypocrisy.  Can you say that with me?  Hy-poc-ri-sy.  Well, Buenos días.

In other news, I am honored and humbled to have been elected Council President for 2010 by my Alpha Borough Council colleagues.  I want to thank them for their support and vote of confidence.  It is truly appreciated.

You took me for a joke, you took me for a child (Thank You Alanis Morissette), but your silence is deafening.