Tuesday night's Lawrence City Council meeting proves one thing: Mayor William Lantigua knows how to round up a mob.
However, it remains clear the mayor still does not know how to fill jobs with qualified people more concerned about the city's well-being than their own political aspirations.
The mayor and his mob got their way as a spineless City Council rolled over and acceded to every demand. The council approved Lantigua's appointments for three key administrative positions.
The main mission for Lantigua and the more than 200 supporters he packed into the council chamber was the appointment of Melix Bonilla as deputy police chief. Mission accomplished by an 8-1 vote.
It did not matter that police Chief John Romero had said earlier he'd prefer to see the position eliminated. Romero, in the wake of layoffs in his department, would rather use the money for more police on the streets.
City Councilor Marc Laplante's suggestion in an earlier committee meeting that the deputy chief's position be eliminated was what brought the large crowd to the council meeting. But this was no spontaneous display of civic activism. Many of the attendees carried signs — all lettered by the same hand.
Laplante was the only councilor to reject the political theater, casting the lone vote against Bonilla.
Frank Bonet was so committed to the city's personnel director position that, until his withdrawal over the weekend, he was running for a different job — a state representative's seat. His appointment was approved 7-2. Councilors Laplante and Eileen Bernal opposed.
Patrick Blanchette was appointed the city's economic development director, a position for which he has few qualifications. The vote was 7-1, with Laplante dissenting and Councilor Grisel Silva abstaining.
Mayor Lantigua delivered a rambling harangue against the council, calling criticism of his appointments "horse manure" and "stupid." Lantigua repeatedly wagged his finger at the council.
The City Council deserved the wagging finger, but not from Lantigua. It is the public that should be crying, "Shame!" Shame on the City Council for giving in to the worst display of political bullying we've seen in some time.
