Carbondale has been a contentious place of late and further problems between Mayor Justin Taylor and Council have erupted. In the last incident, Mayor Taylor was right in utilizing a social networking tool for political purposes, as it reaches more people more quickly than conventional means.
This time, Councilman Joe Marzzacco called a grant the city received a total waste. What was the grant, you ask? It hired an analyst to look at crime data to come up with patterns. Hmm… Free money to help fight crime. That’s a waste? That’s also a new low (rivaling Ken Smith’s pandering in Dunmore). Having a position paid for via a grant, at no cost to the city, when that position will help identify trends in crime is a good thing. I have no idea how anybody could say it’s a waste. Except in Councilman Marzzacco’s case, it’s just another way to go after Justin Taylor and it looks petty.
The conflict between Justin Taylor and Carbondale’s City Council highlights an interesting issue arising in politics: The value of social networking in pushing a political agenda.
Social networking is a political reality, and Justin Taylor’s use of it as a tool to disseminate information is very pragmatic. Many voters and citizens do not seek news out, whereas utilities such as Facebook and Twitter make spreading information quick and easy.
The idea that a Councilperson could scold Mayor Justin Taylor for using Facebook to inform people of the goings on of the city is irresponsible, not the other way around.
His comment reads, “Some council members are plotting to terminate me as city administrator, or make the position part time, because I asked them to give up their 100 percent paid health insurance for themselves and their families! Please attend to show your support! Continue the progress!”
Taylor’s accusation is accurate: Council is not happy with him because they, oddly enough, get health care and he asked that they voluntarily refuse it. While that’s nice that Carbondale provides that for its Council Members, since being on Council is a part-time job, it shouldn’t be a necessity. They should amend their home rule charter and save the depressed city money.
The “written warning” from Councilman Eric Farrell over this Facebook posting is childish and, worse, out of touch with mainstream society. Mayor Justin Taylor should continue to use Facebook to inform people of the goings-on of his city, despite the games played by Carbondale’s Council.
