Huntington Mayor Likens Citizens Requesting Budget Cuts To Terrorists
Posted by Jeff Pruitt - 1/22/09 @ 8:48 am - Filed Under Featured, Local Politics
The entire political establishment around Huntington is a corrupt organization filled with nepotism and incompetent cronies - watching this circus from afar is almost comical. From deleting government documents, screaming at citizens during town meetings telling them to move because they oppose annexation, knowingly taxing residents at a higher rate and then lying to the DLGF about it - well you get the picture.
But all of this fails to describe truly what a disgrace the Huntington mayor, Steve Updike, has become. In his latest state of the city address he likened citizens requesting budget cuts to terrorists and specifically called them Taliban:
Updike likened residents constantly demanding budget cuts, to terrorists.
“They’re like a little Taliban. They’re pecking on the sides of you and saying, ‘You need to do this…’” Updike said, adding, “Stay out of it. Stay out of my city business okay?”
Somebody, I don’t know perhaps a soldier returning from Afghanistan, might want to explain to Updike the difference between citizens wanting lower taxes and actual Taliban.
And while they’re at it, they might want to inform Boss Hog that it isn’t HIS city - it’s the people’s city. And if they want their city government to change the way their doing things then maybe he ought to consider listening to him. I know, I know, a foreign concept to be sure but just because Updike and his family and friends are in charge of the city doesn’t mean they know what the hell they’re doing…
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31 Responses to “Huntington Mayor Likens Citizens Requesting Budget Cuts To Terrorists”
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When you’re the CEO of a City, as Mayor, and your citizens are the stockholders, they have a right to know what is happening with their investments (i.e. taxes).
“…of the people, by the people…” and answerable to the people!!
What is wrong with this guy?! It isn’t “his” city business, it’s the city’s business (i.e. the citizens).
Quite an idiotic thing to say.
What Party is he affiliated with?
Mike
Updike is a Republican
Every City and County elected official in Huntington is a Republican.
Yes he is a Republican, as are all the other politicians in Huntington. Their consistent one-party rule is part of the reason things are screwed up.
WANE covered this story last night and the mayor wouldn’t talk on camera (surprise) but he did say that he was only talking about a couple of individuals and not the citizenry as a whole.
That might be his attempt to explain the Taliban comment but it’s still inexcusable. He offered no explanation for the “MY city” comment…
For those of you who saw the Wane story, there was no retraction in the Herald-Press today.
That comment bothered me when I saw the story on WANE.
The reporter should be reporting facts and unless he verified that with the newspaper then it shouldn’t have been in the story. It left viewers believing the retraction would be there yet they simply took Updike’s word for it. This is an example of establishment bias I’m always complaining about…
Off topic, but…
Public accountability is the reason I think the three person County Commissioners system should remain. Since both of the weekly meetings are open to the public, there is no reason we shouldn’t always know “what’s up.”
What changes in how city government operates might we notice if department head’s and appointed individuals had to appear before the Mayor in a weekly public forum?
“What changes in how city government operates might we notice if department head’s and appointed individuals had to appear before the Mayor in a weekly public forum?”
Probably more lies and evasive answers!
Jeff,
I agree one party rule is terrible.
The Huntington GOP needs some competition.
Mike Sylvester
Jeff, I’m not disagreeing what anything you’re saying.
But consider–after size is taken into account, Huntington is a cleaner, safer, friendlier, better-run town than Fort Wayne, regardless of the truth of everything you’re saying above.
What does that say about Fort Wayne politics?
Rumpole:
“Huntington is a cleaner, safer, friendlier, better-run town than Fort Wayne…” For the sake of argument, I’ll say this is correct. But specifically, what would cause politics to make it so?
Jeff:
The GOP through-out the Indiana 3rd could use some REAL competition… bring it on!
Rumpole
I agree with Paul, are you attributing Huntington’s qualities to Republican rule? Because Fort Wayne has had Republican majorities, and those Republicans have promptly ushered in an unprecedented increase in regulation and era of big government (for a laugh, go to John Crawford’s Council bio, which is still active, wherein he states that he stands for the principles of “less government” and “individual responsibility.” You really can’t make this &$^% up). To turn a phrase, with Republicans like these, who needs Democrats?
I was just trying to make the limited point that whatever is wrong with Huntington’s politics, the facts suggest that something might be more wrong with Fort Wayne’s.
Also–and this is a separate point–you’ve got to understand Huntington folks for Updike’s quote to be fully contextualized. Most of them think it’s pretty funny.
Rumpole,
I am someone who has lived in Huntington for the last year and a half, i would say your characterization of Huntington is off base. Huntington is quickly becoming the joke of Northeast Indiana. As for most people thinking Mayor Steve’s comments were funny, i think you will find most people are laughing at him, not with him.
Rumpole,
I find the idea that Huntington is a better run city than Fort Wayne laughable. Ignoring the rampant nepotism and scandal, while we are cutting the budget by $2.4 million they are raising the county option income tax.
They also illegally raised taxes without telling the citizens (and lied to the DLGF) in order to fund a new library.
They are also pursuing more annexation to try and solve their financial problems which are severe.
Fort Wayne is in MUCH better shape than Huntington…
Jeff,
I get it, you object to how Huntington does politics. None of your objections have a thing to do with the quality of life there, which, in just about any category (cleaner, safer, better schools, nicer people, more affordable housing) is superior to Fort Wayne after accounting for size.
I’ve lived in Fort Wayne for a year. I lived in Huntington for 15. Just to establish that my perspective isn’t limited, I’ve also lived in Chicago, Atlanta, Portland Oregon, and Columbus Ohio. From personal experience comes my basis for speaking on the subject. From whence comes yours?
Gary:
Laughing at him or laughing with him, the point is they are laughing, not waving pitchforks.
Cleaner, safer, better schools, more affordable housing?
What does ANY of that have to do with the city/county management? Absolutely nothing IMO. I guess I’m arguing that they could have all those things and more given competent politicians…
Rumpole,
You are not comparing aplle to apples. Ft. Wayne is 10x the size as Huntingon. Of course Ft. Wayne will have problems inherent with a large city. When you comapre it to some place like Columbia City, a city and County of a similar size, I believe you will find Huntington is not quite up to par.
As for the pitch forks, don’t be so sure about that.
Jeff, I don’t disagree at all. I’m raising a very limited point–if Huntington politics, as screwed up as they may be, produce a superior result to Ft. Wayne politics, what does that say about Fort Wayne politics?
Love it or leave it Rumpole. Love it or leave it.
Jeff
Cleaner and safer city, better schools, and more affordable housing have nothing to do with city/county management? That is one of the most extraordinary things I have ever read. I know it can’t compare to the Lord’s work of banning smoking, installing redlight cameras, and building minor league ballparks. However, I hope that at least some of the time politicans worried about the cleanliness and safety of the city, the schools, and housing.
You know what would make it easier to love? Some “Cumtwa for Mayor” signs.
Keith,
What I meant to imply was that the difference in those things are due to differences in the demographics and population size of the various cities and not anything inherently good or bad about the city/county managment…
Keith,
I know you have grown tired of my billy madison quotes, but can I say that my billy madison quotes, while overused, are nothing short of refreshing when compared to your constant and borish use of the smoking ordinance in reference to every topic on this board. If the topic is Iraq, your response is smoking ordiance. If the topic is the economy, your response is smoking ordinance. If the topic is Huntington Politics, your response is smoking ordinance.
Move On, Get Over It and enjoy the law like most everybody else. Hell, even Enders (he of “Give me liberty or give me cancer” fame) has stopped harping on the smoking ordinance.
Mr. Green Jeans, are you ghost writing speeches for our new President?
Barack Hussein Obama: “It is no longer legitimate to ask whether our government is big or small, only if it works.”
Jean Luc Green-Jeans: “It is no longer legitimate to ask whether or not the government should intrude on the most personal aspects of your life, only whether enough people ‘enjoy’ the intrusion.”
I must say that I fully concur with Mr Green Jeans on this one
Green Jeans
I had a post drafted but then I erased it. Why throw my pearls to the pigs? From the use of “borish” (not a word, “boorish” perhaps?) to the fact that it appears to be determinative in your mind that people “enjoy” an ordinance, it is apparent you will never get it.
So, Green Jeans, I leave you as I found you, with your misused words and Billy Madison movies, safe in knowing that the government will protect you, hold you in its arms, think for you, and kiss your boo-boos. And if you don’t like my posts, I suggest you “Move On [and] Get Over It.”
Keith,
You are a one-trick pony with nothin much to say unless, of course, it is something about the smoking ordinance.
You certainly did get me on that extra “o”.
I know your type, all-time critic, no-time doer.
Green Jeans
At what point in the movie does Billy Madison say that?
I guess you didn’t bother reading the other parts of my post or any of my humorous limericks. What a putz.