The Real Good Ol' Boy Network

Definition of Good ol' Boy Network from wikipedia
The good ol' boy network is said to still exert considerable influence over many aspects of local government, business, and law enforcement. Usage of the term can often imply a wrongful exclusion of others from the network.

For some time this blog has been trying to uncover some hard facts (aside from innuendo, coincidence, rumor and the like) as to the existence of a Good Ol' Boy network that existed in this city prior to the current mayor and aldermen. As it turns out, the suspicions do have merit. This blog has uncovered some startling evidence that Good Ol' Boy politics did exist in Spring Hill and sheds some light as to why there has been resistance to change in this city around almost every corner.

Let's start with a flashback and some mandatory reading - Post from February 14, 2006 regarding Re-Apportionment titled Good Ol' Boy Network


If you didn't read the whole post, make sure you read the following from the Daily Herald article regarding re-apportionment (which did ultimately pass unanimously):
Alderwoman Sharron Cantrell said she fears Spring Hill would become a "good old boy network" if the way the city's aldermen are elected is altered.

"I think they're fairly represented," she said. "I have people from all wards calling me and that's one of the things I particularly like about the politics of Spring Hill. If someone feels comfortable calling me from another ward, I think that's good."

Cantrell said she does not anticipate a lawsuit by citizens alleging unfair representation and maintained the Board of Mayor and Aldermen make decisions based on the good of the city as a whole.

"If some of this is done, you're going to have a real case of the good old boy politics, and that's what I'd hate to see happen in Spring Hill," she said.

Okay, this might get a little confusing, but I promise if you stick with me the end result will be worth it.

In June and July of 2004, the BOMA passed unanimously an ordinance to reduce the mayor term from 4 years to 2 years. Why, you ask? At the time, Mayor Ray Williams had made it well known that he did not intend to seek an additional term of office in 2005. There not being a clear replacement to fill the shoes of Mayor Williams, the board voted to reduce the term of mayor to 2 years. Not much was said at the time, but the prevailing concern was that the city was growing at a rapid rate and that an 'unknown' could potentially take the helm and make drastic changes.

In the following sections, I'll be making several references to the deposition of Mr. Ken York during the civil lawsuit this fall of Schoenbrodt v. Spring Hill, Mayor Leverette, et al. For those that are interested, you may download the entire deposition here: Deposition of Ken York - Schoenbrodt v Spring Hill 11-2006.pdf (approximately 1MB)

An interesting discourse occurred between Mr. York and Mr. Schoenbrodt's attorney, John Schwalb.

I wonder what they consider "acting satisfactorily?" Are they trying to say, that if someone was elected BY the citizens, and this "good ol' boy" network disagreed with the opinions of that elected mayor...there should still be a way for a few in the city to control the government?

Huh, that is very interesting! Continuing on...

As you all know, Eliot Mitchell is the antitheses of "good ol' boy network." In fact, Eliot Mitchell has been trying to make this city government more open and accessible to all for years, which is exactly why certain figures in our city have been quite uneasy. In fact, with our board becoming more open to the public by the day, that may be why desperation mode is setting in with a few of the "good ol' boys."

there is more...

Do I really need to comment?



Hold on! Is all of this really going on behind the scenes? Isn't there a Sunshine Law or something? Surely we have not cultivated an environment in this city that allows for, or even cultivates scheming behind the scenes to exclude certain members of the public. Let's see what else we can learn...



So Mayor Leverette was not involved in this scheme? Maybe that is why many of the "good ol' boys" in this city are not big Leverette supporters. I have heard rumor that this group of "boys" also held out hope that a certain former County Commissioner would be in prime position to take over as Mayor when the 2 year term was finished. Speaking of which...now this is just conjecture...but I wonder if this whole lawsuit was really pushed by Charlie, or by some of these people that are a little bit miffed at the current state of affairs in the city? Lawsuits are pretty expensive, and it would be a shame if Charlie was left holding the bill on all of this.



You know, this attorney sure does know all of the right questions to ask. If in fact there was a conspiracy to keep Eliot Mitchell, or other undesirables, from becoming mayor for more than 2 years, I wonder how widespread this opinion was (and how far this "good ol' boy" system extends)? Surely if Mr. Schoenbrodt's attorney knows the questions to ask, he must have found out from someone? You know, I think maybe I will revisit this particular thought here in a day or two, so for now, let's move along.



Wow! It sure is strange to hear Mrs. Cantrell talk about POWER (as was her argument against Re-Apportionment, the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee, Subdivision Regulation Ammendmants by the Planning Commission and the formation of a Historic Commission), "good of the board", and not wanting "good ol' boy politics" to take hold in this city. (Flashback...Watch the video of Mrs. Cantrell lecture us about 'Control' and 'Power' during the Re-apportionment debate in February 2006.) In fact, if you talk to outsiders of Spring Hill, they talk about how crooked some of the past dealings are in this city, and THAT is why many choose to stay out of the business and development arena in our city. THAT is why new developers like GBT and Huntly Gordon are treated like outcasts and carpetbaggers by some in our city.

Indeed there was a "good ol' boy" network in this city (and to some extent still is) and it makes perfect sense for some of those on the board to fight tooth and nail to keep some of that in place. It now makes it clear to everyone the REASONS behind those fighting against Mayor Leverette, Jonathan Duda, Eliot Mitchell, Mingo Gallardo, and in many cases Miles Johnson (who has really been trying to do the right thing, despite immese pressure). I hope that everyone begins to understand now why re-districting was so important, why keeping the "Gorilla in the Corner" was so important to a few in Spring Hill. Now we understand why it was so important for some on the BOMA to squelch Mr. Mitchell and Mr. Duda when they had a chance. The doors to government are being opened a little wider in Spring Hill every day, and as more get involved, those that dealt in the back room and dark alleys are being pushed out the back door. As Mayor Leverette says so often, "The sun is shining on the city of Spring Hill today," and that "sun" is bringing to light many things that have gone on in the past, and are still going on today! Thankfully, there are also those going around with flashlights to search out some of the other nooks and crannies that are not lit by the sun all the time. Thank you to those aldermen carrying the flashlights!

THIS is what we are changing in this next election. We have an opportunity to take control of our city right here and right now. The foundation has been laid, and now is time to clean house and get on with building this city openly and cleanly. There are contested races in every ward thanks to re-apportionment, now get out there and vote!