Michael Van Sickler reported over the weekend that fewer than 20 residents showed up at Mayor Bill Foster’s first budget forum Wednesday night, a turnout that fell far short of expectations for an event where 120 aluminum folding chairs were set up at the J.W. Cate Recreation Center.
The low turnout prompted one hell of a quote from Mayor Bill Foster:
“By the time of the public hearings when people line up to complain, most of the heavy lifting is done,” Foster said. “And by then, if they didn’t show up at these meetings, I don’t want to hear from them. I will want to hear from you because you chose to be part of the process.”
That’s right. Mayor Foster just said that if you are too busy, you know, working or spending time with your family to attend an oh-so-engrossing public forum on the city’s budget, then the hell with you.
“I DON”T WANT TO HEAR FROM THEM”
As far as quotes by Bill Foster go, nothing will ever top his statement about wanting to be the city’s first black mayor, but this latest gem is Foster’s second faux pas in a month. Explaining his decision to hire his campaign manager for a plum, make-work job with the city, Hizzoner defended his decision by saying, “I don’t care if he’s my illegitimate son.”
I can’t wait to hear what Foster has to say next.
