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Berman’s actions continue to provide ammo to critics
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Critics of Gilbert Mayor Steve Berman routinely accuse him of acting like autocratic royalty.
But it’s hard for a mayor to assume dictator-like powers if he can’t even force the town manager to stop speaking at private fundraisers for the local chamber of commerce.
Tribune writer Beth Lucas reported Tuesday that Berman requested at a recent Town Council retreat that Town Manager George Pettit no longer be allowed to give speeches before an audience that has to pay to attend. Berman apparently doesn’t like Pettit talking about the state of Gilbert at annual luncheons sponsored by the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce.
Berman used to give those chamber speeches, Lucas reported, but the mayor decided that his appearance didn’t reach a large enough audience.
So he switched to a state-of-town address from the council chambers that residents can watch in person for free or on the town’s cable channel.
Lacking the mayor’s support, the chamber turned to Pettit to give its traditional speech. It just so happens that the annual luncheon is scheduled to take place this month before Berman’s own speech.
Berman’s request to tell Pettit to shut up was disrespectful to the town manager and to local business owners who like to hear once a year about how their tax dollars are being spent. It certainly feeds the opinion of Berman’s detractors that his ego sometimes eclipses his common sense.
The rest of the council recognized this, and refused to interfere with Pettit’s speech. But the council did cater a little to Berman’s desire to be the star performer by voting to have the official 2009 state of Gilbert address prepared by the first week of January.
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