The Broken City

“each candidate behaved well in the hope of being judged worthy of election. However, this system was disastrous when the city had become corrupt. For then it was not the most virtuous but the most powerful who stood for election, and the weak, even if virtuous, were too frightened to run for office.” – Niccolo Machiavelli

I have argued that this City has a level of corruption that seems crafted by a novelist looking to build a setting of suspense for his or her hero to navigate. In truth, it may well be. However, some apparently disagree with me, so I’m going to take a moment to point out the basics that are easily documented that only skim the surface, and let you decide for yourself.

First is the common knowledge of Phoebe Putney’s attacks on Doctor John Bagnato and Charles Rehberg. These two men were the recipients of threats and prosecution for crimes that never happened, all because they had the audacity to point out Phoebe’s business practices that they disagreed with. In so doing, then entered a web the likes of which seem bizarre in a town the size of Albany.

Next, we have former police chief James Younger, who ignored hiring committee recommendations and hired personnel who later went on to embarrass the Albany Police Department in such a way that former APD officers admitted to me they were embarrassed to state their former employment. Officers under Younger did everything from stealing out of the wallet of a motorcycle accident victim, to running a shoplifting ring of impressive proportions. No acceptable reason has ever been given for Younger’s actions. Chief John Proctor now helms the APD, and I sincerely hope he has learned from the sins of his predecessor.

For months now, there’s been complaints of Mediacom. Truthfully, I’m one who’s been complaining. If the temperature is about 85, I don’t have Internet access and I pay way to much in cable fees for that. But what’s truly disturbing is how our City Commission accepted laptops from Mediacom, all but Commission Bo Dorough. Now, this was just before the City granted Mediacom a license to operate in the city, but it’s important to note that for all their attempts to lure businesses to the city, there’s been no mention of another cable company.

In our nation, we have a right to question our government. Tim Coley, with the Dougherty County Taxpayer’s Association, did just that in wanting to challenge a $6 million bond for downtown development. As Americans, it’s our God given right to hold government accountable. However, the City took a pathetic tact with Coley and pressed the judge in his lawsuit against the city to require a $600,000 bond. State law allows this callous and pathetic action when a lawsuit “threatens” an action in the “public interest”. However, just because it’s allowed doesn’t make it right.

Of course, Coley recently got to experience something more of the City’s corruption, when Planning Commission meeting minutes were falsified to prove the City’s case in blocking a development by Coley Musgrove, LLC on Lockett Station Road. A blatantly illegal action, and it happens to directly impact someone who dared question the City and their actions?

We all know the criminal underbelly of any community this size is a dark, evil place. But City Hall doesn’t seem to be a whole lot better. Someone once described corruption as authority plus monopoly minus transparency. Unfortunately, transparency can be faked. Instead, I argue that corruption is more of a case of authority plus monopoly minus personal responsibility to do what’s right.

Not everyone in City government is guilty. Some support various actions because they believe the reason given. Others are knee deep in what’s going on and damn well know it. To them, I just want to say that I’ll find out who you are. You can’t run, you can’t hide. I will find you and expose it for all the world to see.

Enjoy what time you have left, because I’m coming.