The Free Press, Mankato, MN

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September 6, 2010

Your View: Brady investigation is pointless

By Mark Halverson, Mankato

Councilman Charles Hurd’s suggestion that the City Council should consider investigating Mayor Brady’s conduct on his recent trip to China solely because of the DUI charges is irrational.

Hurd is engaging in shameless grandstanding. There has not been a single inference that Brady might have done anything improper in China. So what is there to investigate?

In a town rampant with anti-drinking sentiment, Brady is an easy target. Never mind that those who have criticized him have conceded his public performance has not in the past been visibly impacted and, in fact, has been exemplary. Never mind the fundamental adage that a person is innocent until proven guilty.

Other council members have joined Hurd in quickly calling for resignation. Mark Frost has had a family tragedy related to alcohol abuse. His position is no doubt sincere, although it might be that he holds such an anti-alcohol bias that he should not have even been voting upon matters related to alcohol.

Vance Stuehrenberg has had an extensive career in law enforcement. With that background one would be surprised if he did not advocate strong sanctions for the violation of any law.

Hurd, however, states we should distance ourselves from the mayor’s behavior.  Does he believe that the public will think the council is somehow condoning the mayor’s behavior if they do not respond in a knee-jerk fashion?

Maybe that is his logic. Brady will pay dearly is he is convicted. An election is just weeks away.

I do not think the council needs to address this matter at all. If it becomes “a carnival” at the council, as some fear, it will be because they choose to make it one.

 

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