Baseless decision

Daniel Marley, Lambertville
    Again, at the risk of sounding like I’m gloating for saying “I told you so,” it is time to remind the Lambertville City Council and taxpayers of letters I wrote to the Beacon in April and October of 2007:
   ”I would like to comment on the April 4, 2007 decision of the Lambertville City Council to fire police officer (SFC) Michael O’Rourke. The council’s determination was breathtaking in its swiftness, severity, and its lack of any basis in the reality of the hearing that I witnessed.
   It was clear the council felt it merely had to go through the motions of a hearing, apparently deciding the outcome beforehand. The only solace one can take is that the decision will undoubtedly be reversed when reviewed in a truly unbiased, objective forum. I only hope that is sooner rather than later for SFC O’Rourke and his family.
   The city council (and by extension the citizens) of Lambertville will regret this baseless decision to fire this good man. The history of the city tells us that these mistakes can be costly (and this bad decision will be costly).
   I would call the phony “hearing” a kangaroo court, but that would be disparaging kangaroos.
   I take little satisfaction in being proven correct in so many ways, especially in light of the recent revelation that the “cost” of this misadventure will be several hundred thousand dollars (See article “LAMBERTVILLE: State’s help is needed to balance city budget” — The Beacon, April 2, 2009). The misfeasance of the mayor and council should have consequences for them, but alas I fear it will not. The consequences will be for us, the taxpayers, even those of us who knew the “emperor had no clothes.” If only more people had the temerity to say so.
   On a side note, welcome back SFC O’Rourke!