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MARK FITZHENRY
Monday, December 11, 2000     Page: 3A

Mayor Tom McGroarty was talking, as he often does. He was defending
himself, as usual. He was anticipating criticism from Wilkes-Barre City
Council, which has occurred so frequently it has become a part of his job
description.
   
But toward the end of our phone conversation last weekend, a sentence out
of the mayor’s mouth struck me.
    Talking about his $500,000 state grant application to refurbish Kirby Park,
McGroarty said, “Please put in (the article) that I worked hard on this.”
   
Two thoughts.
   
First: Well, duh, Mr. Mayor. I hope you worked hard on that grant. That’s
why the citizens of Wilkes-Barre elected you.
   
Second: McGroarty is conscious of what people think of him. That, too,
sounds obvious. But it seems rare around here. After many local politicians
get what they want, they either dodge the issue or refuse to speak with the
press, and to hell with what people think. You know who they are. Just scour
editions of this paper and look at who clams up after a closed-door decision
that hurts the taxpayers.
   
“I do care what people think,” McGroarty said Tuesday.
   
That can be refreshing.
   
To a point.
   
To care is one thing. To attempt to convince people of your legacy three
years before your term expires is another.
   
During the past several months, sparring between the mayor and City Council
has shown no signs of slowing. The mayor says he’s productive, but council is
impeding progress. The council says McGroarty is dropping the ball. McGroarty
defends himself again, either to the press or in a memo. Rinse and repeat.
   
So I’m asking McGroarty one tiny little favor, for the good of the city.
   
For the remaining three years of this term, he should take the high road.
   
Praise must be earned
   

   
Here’s the simple math. There are seven council members. There is one
mayor. It’s easier for one person to change than seven.
   
So let council expend energy complaining about a soccer league in Coal
Street Park. McGroarty should continue to press for grants, pave the roads,
refurbish Kirby Park, get those traffic lights fixed.
   
And as much as we love the newspaper copy, McGroarty shouldn’t allow City
Council’s constant stream of criticisms – or counter-criticisms – to bother
him.
   
Just as important, he should continue to slave away without worrying about
his legacy. In an interview Tuesday that lasted nearly two hours, McGroarty
compared himself favorably to the previous mayors 16 times. On seven other
occasions, he said he’s raised the bar for future mayors. He rhetorically
asked if other current mayors worked as hard as him.
   
Comparing himself to previous mayors is “the only standard we have to
judge me by,” McGroarty said. “I’m also saying the next mayor … I know
I’ve put the bar at a certain level, haven’t I?”
   
Maybe so. He’s lowered taxes. He’s lowered the city work force. He’s
installed more effective trucks for the winter storms. He wants to eliminate
health benefits for retired politicians – a stance that makes so much common
sense, I doubt City Council will pass it.
   
McGroarty’s passion is admirable.
   
But there’s a point where he should listen to his own words.
   
“When I’m gone,” he said, “people will realize that I did a lot of
things people don’t see now.”
   
Exactly. Keep working hard, make thoughtful decisions, and you’ll get your
praise. In due time.
   
Call Fitzhenry at 829-7218 or e-mail [email protected].