Leaders should be held to higher standards

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August 9, 2012  PLYMOUTH EAGLE.

Lack of self-control is a weakness that can metastasize in some very ugly ways when coupled with the power of public office.

It seems that all Ron Edwards, the treasurer in Plymouth Township, needs to complete his work uniform is a pointed hat with bells and shoes with long curled up toes.

At a recent meeting, when questioned about a rumored federal investigation into his conduct, he called the questioner’s sanity into question by stating, in a public forum, “Everybody knows you’re not all there.”

Can you imagine such a comment? From an elected official? A representative of the township administration, no less? Of course, Plymouth Township residents have come to sort of expect this from ole Ron whose tirade at a police dispatcher when his friends couldn’t move through traffic quickly enough to suit him ended up all over the evening TV news. That, of course, followed his assault of Township Clerk Joe Bridgman in township hall, in public, provoked by Bridgman mistakenly opening a letter. That one made the TV news and YouTube, too.

That he, and the township, was a laughingstock doesn’t make it acceptable or appropriate or even civilized.

Edwards’ response? “I’m an excitable guy.”

Yeah, well I’m sort of excitable myself. But I know the difference between right and wrong. I learned respect and consideration for others in kindergarten and how to deal with frustration from Sister Joelle and her trusty wooden ruler.

And I’ve learned through the years that those who cannot control their emotions and govern their reactions cannot possibly be trusted to effectively manage a community or a budget funded with tax dollars. Those who cannot subjugate their own well being and ego to the best possible actions and decisions for their constituency should find another line of work. Lack of self-control is a weakness that can metastasize in some very ugly ways when coupled with the power of public office.

Edwards should see a mental health professional who specializes in anger management. If that doesn’t work, I may have Sister Joelle’s number