It started out innocently enough. An appeal on Facebook for the owner of a black Astra to move their car as it was blocking the stage area for Saturday's Top Dre.
There followed an image of the car with a four letter word beginning and ending in T scrawled on the dust on the bonnet. Under the new rules for the Fans of (the Old) Ruthin (Blog) Facebook page, the image and comments came... and promptly went again. How is the removal of this thread serving democracy and transparency?
As at 3 p.m. today, the issue trumped the Fans Facebook page and found its way onto the Daily Post website. Our mayor Ian Lewney admitted to the act. In the Daily Post, at least, Lewney got an opportunity to explain himself. That he did so at quite some length suggests, possibly, that he doth protesteth a little too much.
There will be those who say that Lewney is just like the rest of us, human. Indeed he is. But he's also the mayor. Should we expect far more of our leaders? Could it be said to be leading by example?
As at 3 p.m. today, the issue trumped the Fans Facebook page and found its way onto the Daily Post website. Our mayor Ian Lewney admitted to the act. In the Daily Post, at least, Lewney got an opportunity to explain himself. That he did so at quite some length suggests, possibly, that he doth protesteth a little too much.
The answer is that we've all no doubt done something stupid we regret.
On the other hand, the town mayor and the whole town council have no real power. He's small fry, even though Lewney occupies a titular office of honour. It nevertheless sheds poor light on Rhuthun/Ruthin. Would his illustrious predecessors have done something similar? William Cornwallis West? Geoffrey Lecomber? Hafina Clwyd? Definitely not.
What if anything will the town council do about this? My guess is they'll probably be forgiving. Lewney is hard working, especially for the annual festival. In any case, it'll soon be long forgotten.
On the other hand, the town mayor and the whole town council have no real power. He's small fry, even though Lewney occupies a titular office of honour. It nevertheless sheds poor light on Rhuthun/Ruthin. Would his illustrious predecessors have done something similar? William Cornwallis West? Geoffrey Lecomber? Hafina Clwyd? Definitely not.
What if anything will the town council do about this? My guess is they'll probably be forgiving. Lewney is hard working, especially for the annual festival. In any case, it'll soon be long forgotten.
Except perhaps by the mayor himself.