Ok City Council, apparently Crystal figures she can, a-la Richard Polk, just remain on the Council even though she retains no credibility or moral authority. So you need to step up and determine if Crystal should remain on council or if you should vote to have her removed. Refusing to act on this will be a mess, for the council, and for the city government.
- How can the City Manager require, with any credibility, that City employees work the hours they are paid for when a council member worked a fraction of her paid hours - and remains on the council. This is an insult and counter-example to every city employee who does a diligent job. On the flip side, Crystal is an encouragement to every slacker on the city payroll.
- How can the council speak with any moral authority with Crystal seated on the council. Every speech, every proposal, every law will be tainted with "do as I say, not as I do." You may retain the legal authority to pass laws but you will have lost the respect of the citizens. The 9 of you will become the lame-duck, disrespected, morally compromised Colorado equivalent of George Bush.
- This will become strike 3 against the political elite of Boulder. Strike 1 was Richard Polk kept on Council when he clearly should have been bounced. Strike 2 was McLean/Stevens grabbing a neighbors land. This is strike 3. Every news story about the council will lead to numerous reminders of the lack of integrity on the council.
This is not a little thing. Leaving Crystal on the council, without determining if she should be removed, sends a loud signal that the council accepts fraud & theft - as long as it's someone they know and like. Rot like this spreads quickly.
Do it because it's the right thing to do. Or do it because your authority will be pummeled if you don't. Or do it because your odds of re-election suck if you don't. See Matthew 16:26