Loading...
277582 WHITE - CITY CLERK yyy ((('''��� PINK - FINANCE j� ������� CANARY - DEPARTMENT G I T Y O F S A I N T I �u L COl1RC1I BLUE - MAYOR • File N uncil Resolution Presented By Referred To Committee: Date Out of Committee By Date BE TT RESOLVED, that Councilmember Ruby Hunt is hereby elected Pxesident of the City Council for the City of St. Paul. COUIVCILMEN Requestgd by Department of: Yeas \ Nays `Hunt Levina— In Favo[ �RAaddox �cnnanon— � __ Against BY — owalter �Tedesco Wilson� OCT 1 5 1981 Form Approved by City Attorney Adopted by Council: Date — Certified by Cuunc' ec ry BY sy App ov y Mavor. Dat CT 1� 1981 Approved by Mayor for Submission to Council By _ By � isG;sf;t� O C_I 2 4198T � o� . � ' CITY OF SAINT PAUL �- � � =-�;. OFFIC�u OF THE CITY COIINCIL �� � � `� � ' �e��.Ea��".;<. '�F3]�11 3�� . ��:�.. FII�D R�N MADDOX �'��,� F��� � 3��� ��� ��� KARL NEID. JR. Councilman ~'" Legislative Aide r.��Y C��"�':'" C�F10E �:;; �'``�'-� =�t�"�.October 14, 1981 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE --- When my life is over, and if anyone in this city remembers me in conversa- tion, I want them to remember me for three reasons: (1) I never lied to them; (2) they always knew where I stood on the issues; and (3) when I gave my word I kept it. The voters of this city will decide my fate and I will answer to them. I will not answer to people who do not fully understand the responsibility that they have to the neighborhoods of this city. Yesterday the battle was won, and as many of you know this is the second time that this has come up in four months. Firs� when I found out that our Persannel Department had not told us the truth about the fire fighter -_.. . _ -_.._.-test -and I suggested that we rescind the affirmative action rule; and again, . one week aftPr I submitted a resolution to stop the high rate of pay for elected and appointed officials in this city and conduct a study of these salaries. The ironic part of this whole situation is that, in the past, I have advocated that the Council President be for one year and suggested last June that I resign and be replaced by Councilman McMahon. He chose not to accept. About seven weeks ago I had lunch with my Aide, Karl Neid, and former Council President Robert Sylvester. I told them about my intention of resignir�g from this position in the Fall. i am sorry that a11 of this bush league garbage has surfaced and I know it serves no purpose. In fact, it reminds me of {9ebster's definition o£ envy, "A feeling of discontent and resentment aroused by contemplation of another's desirable possessions or qualities, with a strong desire to have them for oneself." It is very easy for us to becorae embroiled in the bureaucracy, as I have found even myself doing. It is very easy for us to become too self- important. CITY HALL SEVENTH FLOOR SA1NT PAUL., MINNFSOTA 55102 612/298-44T5 °�,� . 2_ I haue not criticized another member of this Council publically since I have been Council President, but now the gloves are off. As Mr. Levine stated yesterday, I wish we could run this city like a business. A business would not increase salaries when the business is down; a business would go broke if this city were run like some people want it run. The City of St. Paul knows, and we realize, the�e are more important issues such as neighborhoods, high taxes, distxict heating, crime, etc, to sgend our efforts on, rather than wasting our valuable time on grade school tactics. Tsn't it ironic that before I introduced the pay freeze issue Mr. Levine told me he thought I was doing a good job and fu11y intended to support me? This new issue has put me into the same category, as you recall, that Rosalie Butler and Ruby Hunt were thrust into when they spoke out on the issues. I think that I am in pretty good company. Mr. Levine also referred to a circus. If he can call backing up the fire fighters, and if he can call family-discrimination, and if he can call fighting the high salaries a circus, then I am not prepared far the price of his ticket for that circus performance. I want you to xemember it wasn't me who was running behind closed doors trying to conduct a high school council election. As I stated at the outset, yesterday we talked about tlie battle. Today we have to talk about the whole war -- the war being several issues that ,_, _: are_pextinent to this City, and its future, that do not need to be clouded by anyone's ego. 1 There are a certain number of people that I feel I represent, and that group, for whatever reason, do not have easy access to City Hall; either because they are not able to financially, simpZy do not know how, or do not have the time to weed through the red tape. One of the great services we have performed is weeding through the red tape. Some people in City Hall have forgotten that they work for the people, and in some cases even think that the people work for them. I am not going to compromise my ability to speak out on issues because it may not agree with the majarity of this Council. I don't think that the Council Presidency was set up to keep one £rom being outspoken or from being able to express one's beliefs. There are going to be other issues that are going to be far more controversial in the future that I plan to introduce and, again, they may ca11 for my resignation from the pres�aency. When I think back to when I played ball, it occurs to me that if a football player starts Iistening ta the foot- steps over his shoulder he better change positions or quit the game. I have no intention of c{uitting the game. ' -3- I guess this can best be put by paraphrasing Jack London, "Man's chief purpose is to live -- not to exist. I shall not waste my days trying to prolong them, I shall use my time." {dith that purpose in mind, I am announcing my resignation as Council President effective Thursday. I wish to recommend to the St. Pau1 City Council that Ruby Hunt be chosen and I shall make that recommendation for several reasons. With the upcoming problems that this City is faced with, we are going to need a person who is not concerned with running for re-election and not concerned with building a political power base, but one who is concerned with the day to day business of this City Council. I plan to use my days to promote the business of this City, to speak out on the issues that I feel are crucial and critical to our future. If that steps on toes or offends peaple, then so be it. I am elected to be accessible and accountable to the views of the entire City. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the people that support me and consider it a great honor to have the opportunity �o hold the second highest office in this city. In closing, I can't help but remember what Mayor George Latimer has said, "�Uhen all else fails, use the truth." The truth is, I was ready to resign several weeks ago but they couldn't agree on my successor -- for whatever reasons. ,