Councilman Don Redman: An Embarrassment

[brainstormer]

I live off of Touchton Road and Redman is my council representative.  The districts are definitely messed up.  The only positive is that I can vote him out! LOL

[tufsu1]

Anyone who voted to raise garbage fees was and IS an embarrassment.

I wholly disagree with that statement...maybe you should check and see what cities in FL have garbage fees and what the average fee is....I think you'll find that our new rate of $12 per month is still pretty cheap.

[urbanlibertarian]

I prefer user fees that cover the costs to increases in ad valorem taxes.  Looks like we'll get both.

[hillary supporter]

I am disappointed by Glorious Johnson.  You would think she would fight the good fight.  If people didn't take a position just because it caused drama then we would never have change.  Did Glorious forget Rosa Parks??

Actually, I respect Glorious' approach and "no" vote on the nomination of Dr. Ahmed. Councilman Redman represents his district and did note his constituents response to the nomination.
What he did after that was asinine (which Glorious pointed out)
Glorious said she voted as she did because Dr Ahmed was too controversial. His association with
CAIR and that organizations support of American labeled terrorist  groups Hamas and Hezbollah  does lend credence to that. But, just as important, Glorious DOES represent the city as an at large councilwoman. When city constituents call her and voice their objections, she does have a responsibility to reflect their opinions. From one of the poster's comments concerning local response at local media websites , it seems plausible Glorious experienced this. I believe this is what she meant (a completely different rationale than Redmans) and i agree with her vote (not Redmans).

[stjr]

Glorious said she voted as she did because Dr Ahmed was too controversial. His association with
CAIR and that organizations support of American labeled terrorist  groups Hamas and Hezbollah  does lend credence to that. But, just as important, Glorious DOES represent the city as an at large councilwoman. When city constituents call her and voice their objections, she does have a responsibility to reflect their opinions. From one of the poster's comments concerning local response at local media websites , it seems plausible Glorious experienced this. I believe this is what she meant (a completely different rationale than Redmans) and i agree with her vote (not Redmans).

So, if Glorious represented a certain district, perhaps a vestige of the Old South, and the vocal "majority" pushed her to vote against a black candidate because they belonged to that "controversial black" NAACP organization, home to lightening rods and pot stirrers like Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton, and, thus, might also be "too controversial", you would support Glorious voting against that person?  And, do you think, being a fellow black, she would have accepted and "honored" that position?

Leaders should consider "leading" their constituents at times, not always "following" them.

[mySpringfield]

Actually, I respect Glorious' approach and "no" vote on the nomination of Dr. Ahmed. Councilman Redman represents his district and did note his constituents response to the nomination.
What he did after that was asinine (which Glorious pointed out)
Glorious said she voted as she did because Dr Ahmed was too controversial...

There was a time not too long ago when Glorious Johnson's presence on a leadership body would have been considered too controversial.  And as an African-American woman she likely would have been part of some organization with ties to others that were highly controversial.

Her reasoning was cowardly and a sign of poor leadership on her part.

[TheProfessor]

I agree Glorious was a coward.  Sounds like she did it for political reasons instead of ethics.  I would think she'd have much more of a backbone.

[sheclown]

There have been calls by council members to shutter the 15-employee agency, arguing that its $1 million budget would be better spent elsewhere.

That's will teach 'em for making this appointment -- nuke the agency.  Subtle.

That’s why the commission’s first task this summer will be reaching out to each council member individually â€" especially those who opposed Ahmed â€" with a unified message about why their work is necessary.

I guess the agency feels human rights ought to begin in council chambers.

[brainstormer]

Unfortunately and sadly most of the council chambers is a reflection of the community.  In my opinion the reason we have our own human rights commission is for "image."  They serve as a way to downplay some of the city's extreme religious intolerance, ignorant views and lack of respect for anyone who is "different."  Children often repeat the things they hear at home and you would be saddened by some of the things parents are telling their kids about other people.  I wish the commission luck in their pursuit.