Posted on 03/02/2003 8:26:14 AM PST by motife
In less than a minute, Ely City Council rolls back action If you blinked or turned your head, you might have missed it.
That's how quickly Ely City Council members moved Friday night to rescind a tempestuous resolution opposing a pre-emptive U.S. military strike against Iraq.
In less than a minute, a motion to take back the resolution was on the floor, up for a vote, and passed 5-2 without any comment at a special meeting that drew a packed house of at least 200 people to City Hall.
Jerome Debeltz and Dan Przybylski, who both initially backed the measure, flipped following a firestorm of controversy, demands by opponents that the council either rescind the resolution or resign.
They were joined by council member Mark Zupec and mayor Frank Salerno, who both voted against the resolution when it was first presented Feb. 18, and council member Butch Pecha, who missed the first meeting.
Holding firm in support of the resolution, which called for a peaceful solution to the conflict and urged continued support for weapons inspections conducted by the United Nations, were council members Mike Hillman and Paul Kess.
The abrupt end - the roll call and a decision to recite the Pledge of Allegiance took longer than action on the resolution - seemed to catch audience members off guard. But the decision was greeted with loud applause.
Most of the council members rushed out of the chambers, and their getaway was aided by unprecedented security measures that kept all media personnel behind the speakers' podium and in the general seating area.
Pecha faced verbal fire from frequent council meeting attendee Duane Whalen before departing, and several arguments broke out in a crowd that was well represented on both sides.
One man accused members of EMPOWER, the local women's group that advanced the resolution, of destroying real estate values in the area by their push for peace and the subsequent publicity generated by the resolution.
"Go to hell, and say hi to Saddam," he shouted.
At the front of the room, World War II veteran Bernie Hutar and Vietnam veteran Bob Benito exchanged barbs.
Hutar chided Benito for his stance in support of the resolution and against Bush administration policy on Iraq, prompting a heated exchange.
"I lost my brainwashing when I got out of the military," Benito said.
And though council members repealed the resolution with no discussion, the outcome of Friday's meeting - an emergency session called by the council - was widely expected.
Debeltz said Tuesday, after a public study session that attracted an even larger crowd (see related story), that he'd switch his vote.
He said opponents misinterpreted Ely's first-in-the-state anti-war vote - one of more than 100 resolutions passed nationwide - to be unpatriotic or anti-veteran.
But Debeltz said he was sensitive to criticisms that the vote might have a negative resolution on Ely's economy, a charge made by several opponents and business owners last week.
"I didn't know there would be so much flak," said Debeltz. "I think for the betterment of the community, we should rescind it... We have to do damage control."
Some business owners, including Doug Brown of Timber Wolf Lodge, reported cancellations directly related to the resolution, while the Ely Chamber of Commerce acknowledged that it was difficult to substantiate many of the cancellation threats it received.
But in addition to the business impact, council members also came under heavy fire for taking a stand on the divisive war issue.
Several speakers Tuesday, including former council member Warren Nikkola, former mayor Joe Baltich Jr. and city resident John Chelesnik, said the council should stick to city business and that the vote misrepresented the feelings of area citizens.
All three called for the council to rescind the resolution, while both Nikkola and Chelesnik were part of a group that threatened a recall petition - to throw those who voted for the resolution out of office - if the resolution stood.
Ely's veterans community was well represented on both sides. Some, such as former Echo editor Bob Cary, called for the council to support President Bush, while others including Persian Gulf War veteran Shaun Chosa supported measures that would give current troops "a chance for peace."
Members of EMPOWER, a group of approximately 65 area women that formed late last year, said they hoped to spur dialogue on the war issue.
Betty Firth, who presented the resolution, and a petition supporting it signed by about 200 area residents, argued that citizens have the right and responsibility to question their elected leaders.
Supporters say local governments should get involved because of the economic effect a war might have on small cities, and the costs that would be borne by taxpayers.
Supporters of the resolution also say they've paid a price for their dissent by way of intimidation and threats.
Kess, in a statement released Friday, said opponents of the resolution have created "a climate in which I now fear for the safety of my family."
"My experience is that it has brought out both the best and worst in our community," said Kess. "Most people have been very civil. Even those who strongly disagree with me, and most of those who signed the petition against the resolution have been willing to discuss the issues. But there are those who have bullied and threatened and demonized me and others for being un-American... Have we sunk so low that people should be afraid to speak their opinions without fear of reprisal and retaliation?"
After Tuesday's meeting, Hillman said there was room for compromise.
"I do care for both sides and I want to bring peace and unity," he said. "Nothing was done to hurt anybody."
But tension was still running high Friday night, and even city leaders acknowledge they face a difficult road.
"It's going to be tough to heal," said Debeltz.
©Ely Echo 2003
BTW, If you haven't been there, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area is a wonderful trip for those willing to rough it. I look forward to taking my kids on a canoe trip there when I can manage it. On previous trips I've encountered bears, moose, deer, and loons at sunset. It's utterly peaceful and the fishing is good. It's best to go in June IMO before the bugs get too bad. You can go in with just the shirt on your back (and a Visa card) and get everything you need from one of the many outfitters in town.
Do you think the resolution issue will hurt Ely’s economy?
After freeping, the poll stands as follows:
YES: 87.12 percent
NO: 12.88 percent
Yes, yes, the council reversed its anti-war endorsement. Why? For the same reason that France will NOT support the war: It hurts their pocketbooks.
If the body politic in those parts wants to demonstrate that it's not pro-Iraq, they should remove the offending councilmen. THAT would be a statement worth noting.
I'm sure the scenery is fine. But seriously now, is Ely the only place with great scenery? If one had the option of enjoying great scenery AND supporting a political environment that was sane, wouldn't one prefer this to supporting something like Ely?
I know I would.
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