Stewpoints

Wednesday, 04 April 2007

It's Wrong to Accept Free Ski Passes ... and Golf Passes ... and Hookers

City Council Member Clowny Kenner created a clear conflict of interest in accepting undeclared gifts. He admitted to accepting a ski pass and other minor items, and that showed a lack of good judgment. And although I have no actual knowledge of him accepting hookers, I think we can all agree that it would be a bad thing to do.

It doesn't matter if any of those gifts were donated for just cause, such as him working with the local ski club or the Steamboat Center for Disadvantaged Hookers. Because he can make decisions that affect these organizations, such as passing legislation that might favor the ski resort financially or legalize prostitution in Steamboat, any act of perceived favoritism can warp the public perception of the office of City Council. And that's unacceptable.

A cornerstone of our democracy is the faith of the constituents. And if that faith is lost, it can be very difficult to regain. We're only as strong as our weakest link, and, at least morally, I believe we know who the council's weak link is.

So when election season is next upon us, I hope you'll remember that Councilperson Clowny Kenner admitted to accepting gifts. And we all know that it's wrong to take free hookers. I'm just saying ...

This letter was produced by the committee to elect Brian Harvey to City Council.

Sheila Harvey
President, Mother and Sole Member
Committee to Elect Brian Harvey to City Council

I Did No Such Thing ... At Least the Hookers Part

I do see how it could seem like a conflict of interest, because I often have to vote for legislation that may favor a ski resort or country club or private investor whose name rhymes with Slim Book. And although I swear--pinky swear even--that none of those gifts had the slightest effect on influencing the patterns of my wallpaper, I admit that I made a mistake.

Therefore, I have returned the ski pass and golf passes and some of the lesser bribes that weren't really worth it, anyway.

However, it's just wrong of all of those who are "out to get me," including those who intend to run against me for City Council, to make up stories about me and Steamboat Springs' good, hard-working hookers. Have you even thought about how hard it is to be a hooker in this town?

I mean, how appealing can you look prowling the streets in a North Face parka and high-heeled Sorels? These women, and some men, are faced with difficult challenges every day that most of the world's hookers never even dream of.

That's why I support the work at the Steamboat Center for Disadvantaged Hookers. There they give them a room for the night, or a few hours, and see that they have meat on their bones ... or in their bones, at least.

But let's make one thing perfectly clear: I didn't accept any free hookers as gifts. Ski pass; OK, you caught me. Free golf; mea culpa. But watch it with the hooker talk, Mrs. Harvey. You wouldn't want me spreading rumors about your son, would you? And I wouldn't even have to make anything up.

Clowny Kenner
City Council