Smiley Punks Kovach – How Will Kovach Respond?
Tom Kovach won a special election in January, partially because of controversy surrounding the former County Council President, Paul Clark. Clark is perceived by many as too close to the development community and Kovach ran against this. So it was interesting to read yesterday that Kovach voted in favor of a controversial development project. The explanation is that Kovach got punched by Councilman Smiley. The story is really quite amazing:
Opponents of the proposed Governor’s Square III Commercial Center were shocked to learn Wednesday that New Castle County Council on Tuesday unanimously lifted a deed restriction on the property at Del. 7 and U.S. 40 in Bear.
Even two council members said they didn’t know what they had done the night before.
…
But a deed restriction on the property was lifted by a resolution that was listed on the “consent calendar” portion of the agenda. According to council rules, “the consent calendar is intended for noncontroversial items that are not contemplated for discussion on the floor of council or objection.”
DelleDonne & Associates’ proposal to build the 230,000-square-feet shopping center has been hugely controversial in Bear.
All the items on the consent calendar are voted on in bulk. Although each council member was given a copy of the resolution, which detailed the lifting of the deed restriction, there was no hint on the meeting agenda that the item in the consent calendar involved Governor’s Square III. Only the tax parcel number of the property was listed on the agenda.
You just have to salute in awe of Councilman Smiley’s daring in this case. Kovach and the other council members got punked. So, how will the new supposedly reform-minded Council President respond?
For one, can the decision be reversed? It certainly seems like an abuse of power, or at least powerful loophole that Smiley exploited. I assume that council still has the power to stop the project if it can find the will to do it. I’m sorry Mr. Kovach, but Smiley made you look like a fool. Are you going to sit back and take it? The excuse that you were tricked is not going to fly. Sure, Smiley knows parliamentary procedure, but you were a member of the General Assembly. I’m sure you learned some tricks there.
I do look forward to a power struggle between Kovach and Smiley. Maybe it will bring some attention to county council, which desperately needs some adult supervision.
Council President has little muscle to flex.
Anyone remember when our new senator was council president, and how little he could do to control his four fellow Democrats on council (all stooges for the Gordonbery administration)?
It amazes me that a clerk can determine what goes on a Consent Agenda w/o any imprimatur from Council President. First thing I’d change would be to take authority away from an appointed bureaucrat and give it to the Council President. Otherwise, what does he do to ‘earn’ his salary?
And to those who seem to be enjoying Smiley’s chutzpah, as if it was some kind of harmless prank, shame on you. What he did was blatantly unethical. How in hell can Penrose Hollins say that Smiley did nothing wrong when Smiley took an end run around council and his own constituents? What has happened to the Penrose Hollins I once knew?
What Smiley did may not be illegal, but anyone who says he did nothing wrong should look themselves in the mirror and ask themselves just what it means to be a public servant.
From my brief interactions with him, I knew that Smiley was a buffoon. I just didn’t know that he had no ethical or moral compass whatsoever. Now I do.
If Inwas Tom Kovach, I’d be making a lot more noise. He was handed a megaphone by the NJ and failed to really seize the opportunity. Who cares if he doesn’t have the power – make some noise! The reaction of some council members makes it look like nothing will be done.
“You just have to salute in awe of Councilman Smiley’s daring in this case.”
No, you don’t. By definition and by rule, the consent agenda is supposed to be for “non-controversial” measures. He broke that rule, and did so knowingly. Even by the standards of New Castle County government, he’s a turd.
Let me make this clear – I think Smiley is an unethical ass who abused the process. However, he’s a smart guy and you can’t afford to ignore him. He hasn’t been neutralized because we’re onto one of his tricks.
I disagree again. He’s not a smart guy.
.
Smiley is hardly a smart guy. A smart ass maybe, but not a smart guy.
Based on the NJ article I’d say we all need to concern ourselves with the fact that most of the council members vote blindly on items in the agenda without reading the agenda.
As for Kovach, he’s a lawyer and he should know better. I would’ve thought he had enough sense to read and question.
Looks to me like there’s enough blame to go around to the entire council. and, it doesn’t really look as if anyone is really minding the store.
corrupt and unethical behavior on county council? shocking!
The shocking part of this to me is that someone wants to build a 230,000-square-foot “Governor’s Square III” when there are so many vacant spaces in Governor’s Square I, & II. How many check cashing places do the Route Fortyans really need?