Jeanette Burrage's claim Des Moines city council members associated with ex-mayor Don Wasson are "conservatives" does a disservice to persons with true conservative values.
Her admission "Mr. Wasson certainly needed training in parliamentary procedure" is similarly hysterical.
The Public Disclosure Commission investigation that found $60,000 in concealed campaign contributions supporting the "conservatives" led to Wasson's resignation. Last month the PDC asked the state attorney general to prosecute his unreported campaign contributors.
Jeannette also needs to get her facts straight concerning Councilman Petersen's legal problem. Soon after newly-elected councilmember Petersen assumed office, the city staff raised the issue of his towing business with the city.
After two independent attorneys advised City Manager Olander the situation constituted a violation of the state's conflict of interest laws, he moved to open city towing service contracts for competitive bidding.
Disregarding state law that requires a city manager to resolve conflicts of interests involving councilmembers, Ms. Burrage's "conservatives" promptly voted to fire Olander. Then they forced out our city attorney and finance director.
These departures cost taxpayers $287,554 in severance pay for early termination of their employment contracts.
In February 2003, a trial court judge found Gary Petersen in violation of the state's conflict of interest laws. Petersen appealed the court decision. The case is pending and while the legal proceedings drag on he remains bound by the preliminary injunction issued by yet another judge, which restricts his powers on the council.
And compare Jeanette's claim "now that the conservatives have won in court" with the lawsuit councilmembers Benjamin, Petersen, Steenrod and Wasson recently filed against Des Moines taxpayers.
Maybe I'm naive but don't understand why the "conservatives" are asking for reimbursement of over $100,000 in legal fees incurred after they ignored the legal advice providing to them by our own city attorney.
Which explains why this conservative is offended by these councilmembers, who incidentally are up for election this fall.
Al Furney
Citizens for Des Moines
