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A Times Editorial
© St. Petersburg Times, published May 10, 2002
Tom Finn meet Rodney Dangerfield.
Like the bulging-eyed comedian who turned "I get no respect at all" into a career trademark, Finn's preoccupation with recognition has turned comical.
We only wish he was trying for laughs when he berated another council member as a do-nothing just after voting to recognize "Civility Month" or when he distributed an overblown campaign-like list of 14 accomplishments to his fellow council members three weeks after being passed over for deputy mayor.
Deputy mayor? Who cares? It's hardly a resume brightner. So, the council wants Finn one seat farther away from the gavel. Big deal. It's a ceremonial title and an irrelevant position unless the mayor is unavailable to run a meeting or to sign paperwork. It doesn't mean Finn can't bring ideas to the council, debate public policy or be an effective city leader.
That's what New Port Richey needs. Personal gratification should take a back seat as the council confronts more pressing issues such as the potential loss of its largest taxpayer and employer, a questionable grant proposal to acquire a downtown landmark, and a push to redevelop its neighborhoods.
Finn said Thursday the deputy mayor position was just an illustration of how his hard work is unappreciated. Granted, he has championed redevelopment in the city and pushed for the skate park that is scheduled for construction later this year. But, in a snit, he walked out of a budget workshop last year and threatened to quit the council. His high-profile dispute with council member Ginny Miller, which eroded into unspecified allegations of sexual harassment, threats from Miller's husband and Finn's call for punitive action, didn't help his credibility, either.
Finn contends the council can't work together effectively if its decisions are shaded by personal politics. But governing and politics are inseparable, whether based on party affiliation, career motivation, or even retribution for previous votes.
Finn isn't the first person in Pasco County to be snubbed by his colleagues for a leadership position. Current Property Appraiser Mike Wells didn't get to chair the Pasco County Commission until his seventh year in office even though the then-Democratic majority allowed the board's other Republican, Ann Hildebrand, a turn with the gavel. Likewise, a later commission passed over Pat Mulieri for vice chair until her second, four-year term.
Finn's criticism of Susan Clark, whether accurate or not, also is out of place. He joined the unanimous vote naming her deputy mayor after Scott Chittum's nomination of Finn failed to garner a second.
"Voting against her," he said Thursday, "would be a childish thing to do."
How true. Finn and the city would be better served if he thought like that more often.