This is Leadership?

Over the past week I have seen quite a few disturbing signs out of the O'Leary for Mayor camp that makes me feel that Commissioner O'Leary would not make a good Mayor for the city of Waterbury.

In my opinion, the Mayor of any city, especially as one as large as Waterbury, needs to be able to work with a wide range of people to solve the myriad of problems facing it. Quite often, you are going to have to deal with people that you don't always get along with. There may be people who actively work against you, there may be people who have personality quirks that you consider annoying, and there may be people who just don't get things done in a fashion that you feel is appropriate.

A true leader knows how to handle these differences of opinion in a quiet, professional matter that doesn't wind up on the front page of the local paper. If a candidate for Mayor cannot handle these inevitable personality conflicts when they arise within a campaign slate of 16 people, how can we expect that person to deal with them among the city government?

The first example of questionable leadership arose back on the 20th when Ruben Rodriguez decided to end his campaign for Board of Aldermen. While I don't agree with Mr. Rodriguez's decision to exit the campaign so close to election, I find it very disturbing that Commissioner O'Leary's response was to openly accuse a fellow Democrat and State Legislator of organizing the departure.

From the Republican-American:

O'Leary claims state Rep. David Aldarondo engineered Ruben A. Rodriguez's defection after O'Leary refused to put Aldarondo's friends and relatives on his campaign payroll.

"I don't pay for political support," O'Leary said. "I'm really disappointed about Ruben. He's a good guy. David is taking advantage of him to get back at me."

Regardless of whatever may have happened between Mr. O'Leary, Mr. Rodriguez, and Rep Aldarando, the local section of the newspaper is not the place to air these grievances. It is my opinion that an appropriate response from Commissioner O'Leary would have been to discuss these issues privately, and provide a simple statement expressing regret over Mr. Rodriguez's decision, without involving Ms. Overton.

Another example of questionable leadership from Mr. O'Leary is the fact that just two days ago he decided to openly insult a member of his own ticket without provocation.

On Tuesday I was both shocked and appalled to see the headline "O'Leary 'can't stand' Hayes" plastered on the front page of the local section.

I'm sure there are people who would like to believe that this headline was a result of the Republican-American taking editorial liberties with a minor disagreement, however Mr. O'Leary completely dispelled that myth when he said:

"Pat Hayes? I don't like him," he said. "Can't stand him."

He went on to say: "He's no leader. We need one."

While I have not always agreed with Commissioner Hayes regarding education policy, and I do not feel he is the best leader the Board of Education has ever had, there is no reason for him to be treated in such a callous and crass manor. If anything, I believe that Commissioner Hayes showed more leadership then Commissioner O'Leary when he refused to sink to O'Leary's level.

These blatant attacks on people that most would assume are Commissioner O'Leary's allies makes me worry about how he would treat those who openly disagree with him if he happens to be elected.