Stratford should reconvene a charter revision commission to fix the snafu on who's in charge if the mayor isn't around. But I'm not sure how often we need to re-examine how we are governed.

Who's in charge has been problematic in this country at least since 1796, when John Adams was elected president and his opponent, Thomas Jefferson, became vice president. Probably a nation shouldn't have the second in command as the political opponent of the first in command.

The U.S. Constitution originally called for the runner-up in the Electoral College getting the vice presidency. The 12th Amendment changed that in 1803, requiring electors to cast two distinct votes: one for president and another for vice president, ensuring that running mates would be elected together.

In Stratford, one provision of the town charter allows a political opponent to be in charge in the mayor's absence. It says the Town Council picks a councilor who will be in charge in the absence of the mayor. Council Chairman Michael Henrick leads a Republican majority as the loyal opposition to Democratic Mayor James Miron. And so if the mayor isn't around, a Republican would be running things.

Mayor Miron says another charter provision requires that his appointed chief administrative officer be in charge. Then there's still another part about putting the police chief in charge. Let's keep civilians in charge of our governments, please.

So let's fix this apparent conflict in the charter. But I'm not sure

Advertisement
Stratford wants to change its form of government again, as some are clamoring, to gut some mayoral powers. The town went to a strong mayor a mere five years ago. Some are now wondering if it isn't a little too strong. There's no question Mayor Miron has a strong personality — attracting strong loyalties and strong opposition. It seems to be a government in perpetual opposition.

The town could try to pass a charter setting up a little feudal monarchy, or perhaps an oligarchy, but then that would be unconstitutional. How about a part-time mayor, like Shelton, or a board of selectman, like Oxford or Fairfield or Trumbull? Or back to a town manager?

Actually, I'd suggest Stratford stick with what it has for a while — aside from fixing the "who's in charge here" provision. An elected mayor and an elected council should work, don't you think?

? ? ?

Colorblind American justice?

Jeanette Foxworth was convicted in federal court of bribing a state senator with $3,000. She's going to jail.

A few blocks away in state court, Karen Wickson pleaded guilty to embezzling $166,000 from the Stepney Volunteer Fire Department. She's not going to spend one day in jail. Judge Richard Comerford Jr. sentenced her last month to a suspended five-year term.

Mrs. Wickson is white. Ms. Foxworth is black.

Judge Alan H. Nevas is sending Ms. Foxworth up the river for 15 months, but said imposing a higher sentence on her would be "excessive, unfair and inappropriate."

No kidding. Mrs. Wickson apologized and repaid the $166,000. Ms. Foxworth remains defiant and says she didn't bribe former state Sen. Ernie Newton. She's appealing, but she's going to jail anyway.

? ? ?

The puzzling thing about Sacred Heart University's poll last week about media credibility is the perceived concern that the press, the media, attempts to influence public opinion: 86 percent of the respondents felt TV news and newspapers do that.

Of course we do. The free press is the cornerstone of a free democratic society. Without Thomas Paine's "Common Sense," historians tell us, there might not have been an American Revolution. Without Hamilton's, Madison's and Jay's "Federalist Papers," we would not have our Constitution — the oldest federal form of government on the planet. Without the free press, the civil rights movement would have gone nowhere; there would be no Voting Rights Act.

Newspapers help lead the nation, the state, the community to a more just society in many ways — by advocacy on their editorial pages — taking a clear stand on the issues of the day and by allowing opposing points of views onto their Op-Ed pages. By choosing what to cover in the news pages, the free press can and does and should shed light on problems and show ways to fix those problems. When the press stops showing the way to a better society, that's when the people should be concerned.

James H. Smith is the editor of the Connecticut Post. You can reach him at 203-330-6325 or by e-mail at jsmith@ctpost.com.