Jennifer's flare-up

[dhyatt]

Councilwoman Jennifer Robinson made her task of getting re-elected this Fall much more difficult last night. During council discussions on condemnation proceedings for land associated with the Western Wake Wastewater Treatment Facility, she issued a heated retort to a group of NewHill residents who laughed and scoffed at the notion that they should be happy having the 200+ acre site in their backyards because of the extra open space the large site would afford. She dug her own hole deeper when she didn't stop with a simple "don't speak out, this is a professional meeting on a very difficult subject" and went on to lecture the crowd, pointing her pencil at them.

Though far more 'visible' than Councilwoman Julie Robison's early exit in a huff during a council meeting last Fall, both episodes point out the pressure that comes with trying to make critical municipal business decisions while remaining sensitive towards an often ill-informed and angry electorate.

Image is everything in politics; no matter how much sleep is lost over anguishing decisions, no matter how nasty the hatemail - the more important and serious an issue is, the more a calm heart and mind is needed. The residents of NewHill were never going to vote for Ms. Robinson this Fall. It's unfortunate she gave them additional reason to work against her re-election effort.

[Lurkie]

It was very unprofessional of the both the Mayor, who is supposed to control the meeting, and Councilperson Robinson to participate in the latters out of order remarks. There is no place for anger on the dais, particularly towards the citizens. Shame.

Lurkie

[Laurie]

Jennifer said, "Addressing Mr. Roseland's concerns about the large amount of land that has been set aside for this, I interpret it differently. I really thought that was actually a benefit to the community because it purchased open space around it."

The audience laughed at the absurdity of this statement. This waste water treatment plant is no benefit to New Hill. They don't even get to connect to it. The laughter was a perfectly normal reaction to the outrageousness of her claim. Jennifer may have been referring to the open space, but the treatment plant even with the open space is no benefit to New Hill. Then she lost it and chastised the people she is dumping Cary's waste on. She just acts so childish. Where is her empathy for the people she is forcing this on?

[johnb]

Don, if they can't take the heat get the hell out of the kitchen.

They are screwing with other people's property and their lives.

If the Critters can't understand or won't understand that their little plans are NOT more important than the homes, property and lives of their victims they DESERVE the high blood pressure they're giving themselves.

Whether that plant is on Progress Energy property or at New Hill probably won't matter a hill of beans from a technical aspect. It's now just a pissing match between residents that don't want it and an arrogant group of critters that are now going to put that plant there just to be vindictive and hateful.

This is what happens when we turn city government over to immature buffoons.

[Cathy]

Amen.

[Laurie]

http://www.newsobserver.com/news/story/2534357p-8938412c.html

NO LAUGHING MATTER: Don't laugh in Cary Town Hall, at least not when council member Jennifer Robinson is speaking.

Robinson scolded some out-of-towners Thursday after they giggled while she spoke. "This is a professional meeting," she said. "Do not speak out."

Robinson's lecture did not amuse the laughers.

"I thought it was unprofessional," said Carolyn Sink, a New Hill resident who went to oppose the town's plan to condemn land for a sewage plant in her unincorporated village in southwestern Wake County. "It was completely arrogant and rude."

What did Sink find so funny?

Robinson's suggestion that New Hill residents could see "a benefit" from the sewage plant. Robinson later said that she was only talking about the plan to put the proposed sewage plant on more than 200 acres of land.

"That land will help buffer," Robinson said. "I think it's a good thing, not a bad thing."

She added that voting to condemn the land was a difficult decision. "I wish you guys would respect that," she told the gigglers.

[d4vendel]

I just watched the rebroadcast of Thursday night's meeting. As to Jennifer's flare-up, I have two observations.

1 – Pretty thin skinned for a politician.

2 – Her reelection is unlikely if that is how she talks to citizens – no matter what community they represent.

Can she not see how ludicrous her comments about "open space" were to the residents of New Hill? I also laughed out loud when she made her statement about the "buffer" the 200 acres for the sewage plant would provide. If a sewage plant was not being dropped into their community, there would be no need for a buffer! 200 acres the local landowners can no longer use as they see fit is not seen as a good thing by everyone.

I am disappointed in the council's decision to proceed. Maybe this is the best site, but I honestly don't think taking an additional 30 days for further investigation would "jeopardize the entire project" as the Mayor stated. Ms. Robinson and Mr. Joyce have very valid points about the extra 27M that the Progress Energy site is supposed to cost. With incomplete cost data for the project, how is this determination made?

- David

[johnb]

What shocks me is that other critters are going along with this. Jennifer is an empty suit, a prissy pampered yuppie that is used to being served. There's nothing there to worry about, face it, she's not an intellectual force to be reckoned with. At a minimum I would expect Joyce, Smith, Roseland, and McMayor to say no to this. They're intelligent enough to see that actions have consequences and that government has the awesome power to really hurt people. Destroy them even. All for the vindictive rage of a soccer mommy who stands in complete violation of the Peter Principle? Is it worth it?

[Brent]

I just saw this myself. The single word that comes to mind is "disgraceful".

Talk about immature and disingenuous!

She basically said "You all stay silent while I whip you".

Disgraceful.

[cougarmom]

Why didn't the Mayor intervene when Ms. Robinson continued to scold the residents of New Hill. Can't he control his sidekicks? Who's running the show, McAlister or Ms. Robinson? In my opinion, Ms. Robinson is not well suited for public office and should not seek reelection. The three council members that voted for the 30 day delay are to be commended for showing empathy toward the New Hill residents. I'm sure Mr. Joyce's heartfelt apology was appreciated, but I'm sure it was meaningless to the individual that had is land condemned. I'm sure the New Hill residents are frustrated over this issue, because I'm sure none of us would want a sewage treatment plant built in our neighborhood. We should treat our neighbors as we would want to be treated!

[johnb]

Can't he control his sidekicks?

That is one attribute Clubber Lang certainly seemed to have, I wonder if Jennifer would have showed her @ss like this if Clubber was still Mayor?

[Cathy]

Can't he control his sidekicks?

That is one attribute Clubber Lang certainly seemed to have, I wonder if Jennifer would have showed her @ss like this if Clubber was still Mayor?

If it supported his position, which was rarely challenged, I think he would have let her go, and probably would have backed her up.

Cathy

[Brent]

Cougarmom: Amen!

Cathy: You might be right, but JohnB's question was hypothetical. The current mayor did let her go, and that's reality.

[Cathy]

Cougarmom: Amen!

Cathy: You might be right, but JohnB's question was hypothetical. The current mayor did let her go, and that's reality.

Yes he did. And it is getting more and more difficult with every Council Meeting to understand what Ernie does or fails to do.

Cathy

[Brent]

Cougarmom: Amen!

Cathy: You might be right, but JohnB's question was hypothetical. The current mayor did let her go, and that's reality.

Yes he did. And it is getting more and more difficult with every Council Meeting to understand what Ernie does or fails to do.

Cathy

Cathy, in one sense I know what you mean. On the other hand, not really. Just see what staff recommends, and you can pretty much predict what Ernie will do or fail to do.

[dhyatt]

For those of you who may have missed it, the video of Jennifer's unfortunate outburst may be seen in the two following clips:

http://carypolitics.org/video/Jennifer1.rm

http://carypolitics.org/video/Jennifer2.rm

[Rono]

Good Job Don

I have it digital as well...but was saving it for campaign material. I have several other clips of other councilors as well.

Rono

[Laurie]

How can Adam Arnold write an article on the Phew Hill vote and not mention this?

[johnb]

Oh boy.

Come on Laurie. How could Adam Arnold go to Pinehurst with the council on that golf junkett and not ask them why the city "had" to fund that while at the same time road funds were gutted 70%?

This falls into that category of questions that would offend council and the Cary News isn't about to offend any of the current critters, well possibly Joyce I suppose.

[Spiros]

As of today, Jennifer has not filed for re-election.
http://msweb03.co.wake.nc.us/bordelec/downloads/20050705_ListofCandidates_OCT.htm

Does anyone know her intentions or who will run against her?

[dhyatt]

As of today, Jennifer has not filed for re-election.
http://msweb03.co.wake.nc.us/bordelec/downloads/20050705_ListofCandidates_OCT.htm

Does anyone know her intentions or who will run against her?

Jennifer will be running. Ed Yerha is poised and ready to run against her but has to clear up some personal issues first.

[Cathy]

Cougarmom: Amen!

Cathy: You might be right, but JohnB's question was hypothetical. The current mayor did let her go, and that's reality.

Yes he did. And it is getting more and more difficult with every Council Meeting to understand what Ernie does or fails to do.

Cathy

Cathy, in one sense I know what you mean. On the other hand, not really. Just see what staff recommends, and you can pretty much predict what Ernie will do or fail to do.

This is truly a very sad state of affairs, then.

[johnb]

I love the video Don.

"This is a public meeting, DO NOT SPEAK OUT!"

Also, the threat was cute: "...you're looking for a patron..."

TRANSLATED: lick my boots or I will allow my vote to be based on my own inherent anger and will use it as retribution against you.

The standards of the Cary city council require something more than a mere ethics ordinance to clean up. If she ain't gonna vote based on the law, practicality, and impartial facts she should resign immediately. In the past few years I know I've raised the issue repeatedly that city government is often conducted as if it were nothing more than a vendetta against people staff/council doesn't like. Jennifer put herself on videotape proving my point.

[Rono]

TRANSLATED: lick my boots or I will allow my vote to be based on my own inherent anger and will use it as retribution against you.

...and the visions of videos on MTV dance in my head

[bobo]

Can someone that was actually at the meeting verify something for me? I was told that Mr. Joyce also cracked up when Mrs. Robinson made the comment that condemning the 211 acres was a good thing. I'm just curious if Mr. Joyce was laughing at Jennifer's comment or because the New Hill crowd was laughing. I know the Jennifer fit is old news, but I just heard about Mr. Joyce's snickering today - can anyone verify this for me. It's really no big deal - just call me curious. :-D

[dhyatt]

Can someone that was actually at the meeting verify something for me? I was told that Mr. Joyce also cracked up when Mrs. Robinson made the comment that condemning the 211 acres was a good thing. I'm just curious if Mr. Joyce was laughing at Jennifer's comment or because the New Hill crowd was laughing. I know the Jennifer fit is old news, but I just heard about Mr. Joyce's snickering today - can anyone verify this for me. It's really no big deal - just call me curious. :-D

I was at the meeting. Mike did indeed chuckle under his breath a little - not much more than a stifled laugh. Anyone not looking at him during that 2-3 seconds would have missed it. FYI - Ms. Robinson did not say condemning the 211 acres "was a good thing". She said that the size of the site was a "...benefit to the community because of the purchase of open space around it..." She tried (miserably) to make the case that the size of the site makes the associated open space a benefit. I suppose a large buffer is better but that hardly makes it OK, much less a benefit. I'm sure she wishes she could have those few minutes back. :?

[Wuptdo]

This outburst proves one thing to me - Ms. Robinson is just a human as the rest of us, including the flaws and imperfections. :oops:

I just wish more council people would let their true feelings be seen and heard at council meetings. Passion and politics make very good bedfellows, indeed. :wink:

Wuptdo B-)

[bobo]

Wuptdo wrote:


This outburst proves one thing to me - Ms. Robinson is just a human as the rest of us, including the flaws and imperfections.



Maybe, but shouldn't a individual in her position exhibit more self control under such sensitive circumstances? After all, we're talking about condemning a private land owners land and disrupting a communities way of life.

In my opinion, her behavior was worse than the behavior of the crowd she chose to chastise. :(

Thanks for the verification dhyatt - curiousity satisfied! :wink:

[johnb]

I'm sure she wishes she could have those few minutes back.

Why? Aside from the bad press it's too far out from the actual day of voting for it to be impactive to her re-election bid. If her words express her actual feelings on the matter I bet she doesn't give a rat's turd Don.

[bobo]

Johnb wrote:

Why? Aside from the bad press it's too far out from the actual day of voting for it to be impactive to her re-election bid.

I'm not so sure about that Johnb. If I was her opponent, I'd be sure and remind the voters. Heck, if I were her opponent and had deep pockets, I'd burn several thousand CDs of her tyrannical behavior at the June 23rd CTC meeting and distribute them throughout her district. :-D

[johnb]

Do you really think a majority of those that bother to vote would 1- watch the dvd or 2- be bothered by it themselves?

I don't believe either bobo..

We have the government we have, at all levels, because the roaches know what they can get away with. If that dvd appears anywhere she'll call Adam Arnold in and dictate an interview to him decrying the "mean" and "divisive" politics going on in the campaign and claim she apologized and was "working to put that behind us and move the community forward, together" and that her opponent was a master of the negative attack and that never taught a child to read.

blah, blah, blah

Soccer mommies all around Cary would tsk, tsk her opponent for being such a meanie and she gets re-elected.

Next.

[bobo]

Johnb wrote:

Soccer mommies all around Cary would tsk, tsk her opponent for being such a meanie and she gets re-elected

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: