Foes of UCD will understandably rejoice in the clear public rebuke issued it by Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell today. But those who believe UCD made a mistake face a challenge of their own: decide which action to highlight for blame and which to forgive.
Those who would fault UCD for potentially engaging in political activity, thereby running afoul of its 501 requirements, necessarily require an internal investigation that is both thorough and discreet. They cannot demand prompt, swift disclosure of anything until an investigation is finished, nor can they expect any investigation of importance to be wrapped up in a few weeks. Those who would fault UCD for relieving John Fenton of his duties and not wrapping up this investigation swiftly must, then, accept that no 501 issue of substance arose worthy of investigation. I don't have an opinion as to the rights of the case. I do know that complex issues -- on the one hand political, on the other hand legal -- surround either judgement. And I am always leery of people who give out free legal advice for problems they know only other people must pay for, if their advice turns out to be wrong. -- Tony West
