The characterization is Ron's choice. The only escape is that Villanueva was absent again. This time from a Virginia Beach City Council closed meeting last February where members angrily debated a pay cut. But only two members favored the idea when given the opportunity which could have saved city jobs.
The Virginian-Pilot’s Deirdre Fernandes reported on a proposed symbolic gesture and named one Council member as strongly favoring the pay cut: Bill DeSteph. DeSteph proposed a 25 percent cut when the City Council discussed ways to make up a $48 million shortfall in next year's budget. “Cutting the Beach council's salary by a quarter would save $77,500 - a fraction of the budget shortfall - but it would be symbolic,” Mayor Will Sessoms was quoted as reflecting. Okay, that was two who favored the move.
"It's not like we're phoning it in," said Councilman Ron Villanueva. "Every week, my calendar is full. Everybody on that council works for that money." – A now familiar Villanueva refrain, voiced last FebruaryFernandes reported Vice Mayor Louis Jones saying he would support a pay cut if the rest of City Council backed it. “But reducing the council's salary could dissuade people from serving their community,” he said. There is a principled, independent-minded position.
The remainder of the council was apparently reticent. It is clear who the two were who favored the pay cut. That leaves it a fairly lopsided majority against, counting out Jones based upon his statement. The attitude voiced in the Villanueva quote tells us that he was in the majority against if he was at that meeting. Villanueva was in fact given the opportunity he referred to in that discussion with Andy Fox. So Ron: wishy washy, lying, or absent again? You've said you aren't wishy washy. We know you are busy, so phone it in.
Cross posted at VBDems - Blogging our way to Democratic wins in Virginia Beach!
