During the drama leading up to the Volunteer Ordinance vote there was a lot of chatter circling around City Hall.
There was so much good stuff that TKC made a rare mistake.
Rumors of John Sharp exchanging favors for his girlfriend in exchange for support for Squitiro sounded so out of the ordinary, interesting and gully that I went with them.
Luckily, Councilman Sharp set me straight with the following e-mail:
Tony,Not only did I receive word from Mr. Sharp but also a couple of other people that assured me Mr. Sharp's girlfriend didn't really need a job at City Hall because her biz does just fine on its own AND the characterization of Sharp's action didn't make any sense because not only is he known for being a stand up dude along with an expert on legislation who didn't want to see anything sloppy on such an important document but also because it's so completely out of character for him to support Squitiro.
You have been misinformed, probably intentionally, about my reasons for voting against advancing the volunteer ordinance for immediate consideration.
This ordinance had been rewritten rather hastily to apply only to volunteers helping elected city officials, not all departments. As a result there were numerous sections that needed to be deleted (but weren’t) and contradictions between sections.
This ordinance could be subject to litigation. It was important to get it right. We have made at least 20-30 changes to the version that came out of committee. I think it is now much more fair and balanced, as well as being more enforceable. It puts reasonable restrictions on what duties volunteers can perform without being so onerous that we would likely have few if any volunteers in the future.
It would allow family members to volunteer in the office of a relative who is an elected official, but only on an occasional basis or if they are students. I predict it will pass 12-1 tomorrow, although I hope the Mayor will reconsider his opposition and support it as a reasonable compromise.
John Sharp
P.S. No friends of mine have gotten jobs or appointments, or been promised jobs or appointments, as a result of any of my Council votes.
I agree with these folks. This blog is all about rumors and dirt but normally I probably should have done a modicum of legwork and just called Mr. Sharp on this one but then again . . . I'm a blogger and research really isn't my bag, baby.
The report of a rumor going around was correct, the talk was circulating from quite a few people . . . However, not every rumor has any basis in fact and TKC has a great track record on discerning the gully rumors with at least a grain of truth and the ones that are bunk. This is no reflection on KICKASS TKC TIPSTERS, I think TKC just got a bit too excited in all of the long, drawn out debate from the Funky Bunch. Believe it or not (I don't care) this blog doesn't publish half of the rumors that come my way and since Mr. Sharp was part of a Council initiative that could bring an end to Squitiro's barefoot reign of terror . . . I owe him an apology for any negative characterizations from this humble blog. I'm sorry, seriously.
Now, on with the show . . .
Way to go T. It takes a big man to tackle the tough issues and an even bigger man to admit an error and set it straight. Hats off to you and to Councilman Sharp for taking the time to ensure his name was cleared.
ReplyDeleteQuestion, did you guys share a prayer yesterday?
Nice job Tony. Stand up move.
ReplyDeleteSharp is still a douchebag.
ReplyDeleteIt takes a big man to admit when you are wrong.
ReplyDeleteI am NOT a big man.
-- Irwin F. Fletcher (Fletch Lives)
Yeah, that Tony is such a big, magnanimous man.
ReplyDeleteLOLZ.
Now that is an example of a good and sincere apology. You even let Mr. Sharp go on the record. If only the Star were to try this approach.
ReplyDeleteVery good show of character. Thanks.
And a special thanks to Mr. Sharp for carrying enough to write an explanation.
And you call Miller a failed journalist. Tsk Tsk.
ReplyDeleteI think Tony may have the Ghey for Mr. Sharp. I'm just sayin'.....
ReplyDeleteTony, hijo, YOU ARE GULLIBLE! This will turn out bad for Sharp. the funks will use any tool.
ReplyDeleteSee there's the difference between blogging and journalism, checking things out before you slap them on a page. It's not all about the scoop. A real journalist would have called Sharp and the girlfriend for a resonse before publishing something like this. Now their denial alone might not have killed the story but that side of things would have actually been published along with the tip and that tip would have had to have been backed up by something more than gossip.
ReplyDeleteI think you ought to buy him a drink. Ask him if he is for Light rail because he wants help with Bannister Maul.
ReplyDeleteSee there's the difference between blogging and journalism, checking things out before you slap them on a page.
ReplyDelete__________________
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Sharp is "known for being a stand up dude"??
ReplyDeleteWhat planet are you from, Tony?
Come out to south K.C. and see (among those who have yet to move away) the carcasses of all those Sharp has screwed over. Just mention the name and you'll see eyes roll and hear sighs fly.
He is the worst kind of backstabbing politician, interested only in himself.
I have to agree with the above comment. Tony, you've been drinking the sharp koolaid. 'A stand up dude'? That couldn't be further from the truth. Sharp cared 'enough to write an explanation'? He only cared because maybe it hit a little too close to home. The only thing Sharp truly cares about is himself.
ReplyDeleteYou need to wake up, Tony.
Do you remember the vote to cancel Wayne Cauthen's contract about a year ago? Sharp voted to cancel the contract, uncharacteristically separating himself from his pro-Cauthen friends on the council.
ReplyDeleteThe reason for that vote was that he cast it in exchange for getting the chairmanship of the newly formed legislative committee.
Justs FYI from one of your Kick Ass Anonymous Commenters.