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Tony George’s tough talk on crime could do wonders for Wilkes-Barre once the mayor-elect takes office, conveying the image of a safer city.
But, as the victor in Tuesday’s election, George will have to back up his campaign pledge – of restoring law and order, in turn spurring business growth – with results. No easy task today, not even for an ex-cop who worked his way up the ranks and formerly served as the city’s police chief.
Equally challenging for George, 64, will be balancing his message so that Wilkes-Barre also seems welcoming. To be successful at that, he will need to adopt the proper tone and choose the right words, something that, more than once, proved problematic for him on the campaign trail.
During an interview with our Opinion Board, George indicated the key to getting the upper hand on drug dealers and other criminals living within city limits is to “harass them.” He quickly clarified, indicating that police must “stay within the bounds of the law.”
At the same meeting, we asked George for his reaction to a Ku Klux Klan-affiliated group’s distribution of recruitment fliers at certain city homes. He pooh-poohed the concern, saying similar incidents have occurred here before and quickly blew over because residents disregard the group’s message. Perhaps that’s a reasonable assessment for a law enforcement officer, but a mayor representing a city of about 41,000 diverse residents should have more to say on this sensitive matter.
For example, he might have said something like this: For our city’s stability today and its growth tomorrow, it must remain an inviting place to live for law-abiding people of all races and backgrounds. These fliers don’t help to accomplish that; they only serve to stir up controversy and divide us. Toss the fliers in the trash. As mayor, I’ll be working to bring neighbors together to strengthen their community.
On the same day as our meeting with him, at a candidates forum held at King’s College, George dropped a couple other clumsy lines. Asked about Pittston’s adoption of a non-discrimination ordinance – which includes protections for members of the gay and transgender communities, pertaining to access to public services and housing – George bluntly stated his belief that “the city (of Wilkes-Barre) doesn’t discriminate at all.”
Presumably he meant no discrimination in the awarding of city government jobs. Judging from the reaction of several audience members, a more thoughtful and nuanced answer would have served George better.
To be clear: Mayor-elect George is a knowledgeable and capable man. Over the next four years, he can help Wilkes-Barre not only combat violent crime, but also reduce negative perceptions about the place.
But as the city’s main mouthpiece, he’ll enjoy more and faster successes if he can tweak his communication style.