The Size of My View

Note: This is the first of a series of posts that I will do about my life out in the world. That this one happens to be political is chance. I plan on having less of that going forward.

October 3rd, late morning: I was walking back from getting some blood work done at QUEST, and indulged in the recurring bad habit of looking at my phone when there was no reason to. I checked my email to see if any books had come in at the library, only to find the following:

“Fellow Democrats,

As I’m sure you are aware, 2nd district BOA candidate Toni Lombardi was selected by district members to complete the unexpired vacancy on the board in her district. In an unprecedented move last month, BOA republicans voted against seating her, thus denying the people of the second district full representation. 

We are asking all DTC members and supporters to attend this meeting and if willing and able speak on behalf of what is right. Come early if you can and gather outside city hall. Wear any type of Democrat clothing you may have. Let’s make a statement!

If you have any questions or concerns, please consult with your district chair.

Monday night Oct 6, 7:30PM City Hall”

And with that the placidity of my day was shattered, or, at least, damaged. I admit that I have distanced myself from both local and national politics in an effort to preserve what little sanity I have left. It was not that I was apathetic; in fact, my attitude stemmed from the exact opposite of apathy. I felt the future was unappealing and felt powerless to help change it for the better. But when something happens on your home turf it tends to feel more real and immediate than if it happens in another state or city. And this was the spur. I decided that I would write a brief statement and read it at the Board of Alderman (BOA) meeting.

But like most writing projects with a deadline, I wrote my statement when I was down to the wire, the day of the meeting in fact. I drafted the piece on my typewriter, making various phone calls to Democratic Town Committee (DTC) members to make sure I had my facts straight about the situation, and that I hit the tone I sought of “controlled outrage.” Aside from the conclusion, the statement practically wrote itself, since I had been going over an outline in my head all weekend long. The rest of the day flew by, and then it was time to leave for the meeting.

I arrived early, around 7 o’clock, while the board was going over a separate matter. I stood out in the foyer and on the front steps of City Hall, giving my greetings to people I knew. I would say hello, wish them well, and then with a rebellious spirit, point to my head and say, “do you know what’s in here? A bomb to blow up smugness.” And finally, the meeting began.

The meeting opened with public comments, with each speaker being allowed three minutes or less to talk. I sat with some people I knew, waiting for my turn. Three other people went before me, two of them commenting on the same issue I planed to speak on. I finally got up and walked to the lectern, feeling transparent and nervous. But to my amazement, my speech went off well, no tripping over words, no rushed speech, and most importantly, no frothing at the mouth.

What follows is a rough transcript of my prepared remarks. I diverged a bit, but stuck to the script for the most part. There is also a video recording of the BOA meeting which I have posted below, my remarks come around the 10 minute 50 second mark:

“It is remarkable to see the new lows certain BOA members have risen to. They have denied the people of the second district full representation by voting against seating Toni Lombardi on the basis that there is a conflict of interest since she is a member of the Board of Ed. Their reasoning has the value of a three dollar bill, since records proved past BOA members have served both the BOA & BOE at the same time for both parties.

There are some people, no matter who they are, who think rules and morals do not apply to them except when it works in their favor. like, say, the kind of people who park their cars in designated residents only spots of apartment buildings. The kind of people who are asked to give to charity and immediately respond, ‘ what do I Get out of it?’

The point is not that Toni Lombardi has a conflict of interest. But that the people of the second district have interests that conflict with certain BOA members!”

A confession is necessary here: I had an ax to grind with our mayor as I stepped up to that lectern. That line about parking was no accident. In the winter of 2024, I came home one night to find a car with MFD1 for a license plate parked at a residents only spot at my apartment building, while a familiar figure walked off in the direction of the bars. I kick myself to this day for not photographing that car. So when the time came to deliver remarks, I made sure that when I spoke a key sentence I tilted my head in a specific direction to a specific someone. I doubt he caught my drift, but then again with that 9% tax hike he instituted along with a 5% (possibly more, my memory may be remiss) raise to his salary, he cannot be blamed for not remembering all of his vices.

I would’ve hung around, but I was starting to get tired and after hearing one more speaker, I quietly exited. I would’ve stayed, but I had an appointment in the morning and did not want to go to bed late. But I did stop into the café to say hello to the barista on duty, and tell of my exploits.