Wake up, Fall River!

Whatever your thoughts about what Jasiel Correia may or may not have done with the money investors sank into the app he was developing, is it worth bringing your city to the brink once more?

As the City Council dances on the edge of absurdity over purple bags and debates whether to remove the second mayor in four years, the outside world watches in stunned disbelief. It is sad to see such a once-proud city dissolve into utter chaos and self-destruction.

Tim Weisberg/Townsquare Media
Tim Weisberg/Townsquare Media
loading...

It is unfortunate that your mayor faces a federal indictment, but some citizens and elected officials wish to make matters worse by promoting a completely unnecessary recall election. The circus makes for great headlines and gives the clown car full of mayoral wannabes a platform, but does any of this truly benefit the city? No.

The charges against Correia, serious if true, are in no way related to the business of the city. In fact, most believe Correia has done a good job in managing things and re-elected him in a landslide last fall while he was under federal investigation.

Cliff Ponte (TSM Photo)
Cliff Ponte (TSM Photo)
loading...

By the time a recall election can be held and a new a new mayor is seated, assuming Correia is recalled (and there is no guarantee that he will be), it will be time for the next election cycle. How does Fall River benefit from any of this? It does not.

The more sensible thing would have been to allow the legal process to play out and then let the voters or a jury decide Correia's fate next year. But, what's Fall River government without a three-ring circus?

It's time to halt the costly and embarrassing sideshow and send the performers into retirement. End the recall, elect responsible officials and cut the puppet master's strings that have controlled Fall River's movements for far too long.

Barry Richard is the host of The Barry Richard Show on 1420 WBSM New Bedford. He can be heard weekdays from noon to 3 p.m. Contact him at barry@wbsm.com and follow him on Twitter @BarryJRichard58. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author. 

More From WBSM-AM/AM 1420