It’s done.  The suspension is over.  Let’s move on.  So, apparently, say the Mayor and at least one member of City Council.  No! It’s not that easy, and it’s not right.  In one sad act, Safety-Service Director Rick Dzik threw “Honesty”, “Integrity” and “Character” out the window when, on May 10, 2021, he purposely manipulated the voting order on two major and controversial pieces of legislation being considered by City Council.  Mayor Matt Starr called Dzik’s action “poor judgment”.  Councilman Tanner Salyers said it was “a small thing” and “small potatoes”.  Such comments raise concerns that are almost as troubling as Dzik’s conduct.

Poor judgment is a term used when children make bad choices, or adults make mistakes.  Rick Dzik is not a child, and he did not make a mistake.  He made a conscious and deliberate decision to cheat to try and ensure passage of legislation being considered by City Council.  Dzik didn’t just change the voting order.  As council member Samantha Scoles stated, “there is only one reason to request the order be changed, and that was to manipulate the vote on not one, but two, critical pieces of legislation.”  Safety-Service Director Dzik used and abused his government position and authority to violate one of the most sacred tenants of our democracy, that our voting process be honest, fair and free from outside influence and interference.  Despite this unconscionable conduct, Mayor Starr determined, “no law was broken”, that what Dzik did wasn’t “a fireable offense”.  If the abuse of public office and manipulating the vote on pending legislation before City Council is not a violation of the law, it should be.  It certainly violates the spirit of the law.  If it isn’t a “fireable offense”, then what is?  The fact that the Mayor and Councilman Salyers don’t seem to appreciate or are unwilling to acknowledge the dishonesty and seriousness of Dzik’s action is disconcerting.  When honor, personal integrity and character are not demanded from those who are entrusted to lead; if arrogance, abuse of authority and cheating is tolerated, if not condoned, then we have a problem that goes far beyond the Safety-Service Director.

According to news sources, several members of City Council have publicly expressed their positions on Dzik’s conduct and the Mayor’s response to date.  Unlike Tanner Salyers, four members, Samantha Scoles, Mike Hillier, John Francis and Tammy Woods believe Dzik should resign or be fired.  They constitute a majority of Council. Another member, Councilwoman Janis Seavolt, while not calling for Dzik’s resignation or termination, acknowledged the extent of the breach of trust and damage caused by Dzik.  These five are to be commended for recognizing and responding to Dzik’s conduct for what it was and is, an affront to and betrayal of the trust and respect due, not only City Council, but to us, the citizens of Mount Vernon, the people whom Dzik presumably took an oath to serve.  These members of Council deserve our support throughout the coming year as they are forced to deal, absent the resignation or termination of Dzik, with a Safety-Service Director in whom they justifiably find no confidence, credibility or trust, a person whose every word should and must be questioned.  Additionally, Samantha Scoles deserves credit, not condemnation from fellow Councilman Salyers, for bringing this situation to light, for providing transparency in government that all are quick to call for, but few put into practice. 

Mayor Starr, referring to Dzik, reportedly said, “He knows he did wrong…We have to find a way to move forward and repair the damage.  I think it's important that he takes an active role in repairing that damage.”  Mr. Mayor, you know what Dzik did.  You heard the comments of a majority of City Council.  They have no confidence in Dzik, he has no credibility with them and they do not trust him, and rightfully so.  Mr. Dzik, alone, is responsible for that situation, not City Council.  How do “we…move forward”?  Not with a slap on the wrist and the misguided belief that, given time, City Council will “get over it”.  Mr. Dzik can take “an active role in repairing that damage” by offering his resignation.  You, as mayor, can take “an active role in repairing that damage”, by accepting Dzik’s resignation or terminating his employment.  Honesty, integrity and character matter, or they don’t.  Condemn or condone, the choice is yours.  

Recently, Mayor Starr met with fifth graders at Dan Emmett Elementary School.  He talked about what the City’s priorities should be over the next 10 years.  How about we start with honest government, where corruption is not tolerated.  That would be a fine lesson indeed.