quote:
I'm optimistic the truth will eventually come out, and the issues involved are too serious to rush to judgement before all the facts are exposed.
Well certainly several facts have been exposed, so judgement time will come tonight at the council meeting.
Fact - CM Pena has not been living in his residence the last 6 months.
He's admitted this. His reasons sound fishy. He says he was making improvements to his residence on Sandy Point Rd., so he and his wife moved in with his mother. However, there have been no permits filed, and the neighbors haven't seen any contractors there. He says he's been doing minor repairs himself like patching holes in the wall that don't require a permit. But if the work is so minor, there should be no reason to move out for half a year. I've had houses with new roofs, floors, and painting done all at the same time, and not moved out. Doesn't pass the smell test, and it will be up to Council tonight to make a good decision about this.
Fact - his wife filed a police report on him and claimed he slammed her against the wall (bear in mind, she's pregnant too). She later said she did not want to press charges, but unless she made a false police report, it is a fact that he threw her against the wall.
Fact - police video and audio shows at least part of the domestic disturbance. Mayor Bienski has seen the video and indicated it was troublesome. It's so bad, Pena wishes to squash it so it never sees the light of day. All the local media have asked for it, and the powers that be are checking with the AG to see if they can keep it out of the media's hands. Obviously, it stands to reason that it does not show Pena in the best light, so the fact remains he wishes to suppress it.
How many more facts do we need? There's enough facts that council will meet and discuss these issues in executive session. My earlier point stands. In my opinion the most honorable thing for CM Pena to do in light of all these facts is to resign.
I just hope the council tonight has the gumption to address these facts, and help convince him to do the honorable thing.