Roswell is the sixth largest city in Georgia. Its annual budget is over $100 million. As such, it deserves nothing less than elected representatives who truly understand the responsibilities of running a government. Tough choices sometimes have to be made. Good, sound judgment should rule the day.

In a pathetic attempt to insert herself in the Roswell budget debate, of which she has had nothing meaningful to contribute in two cycles, Councilwoman Becky Wynn proved why she is generally ignored after a year and one half on city council.

Wynn called for the mayor and council give up their salary for a year if any city staff member has to take a cut in pay or benefits to help balance the 2009-10 Roswell budget.

So much for tough and courageous political leadership in a time of crisis.

In an economic environment where thousands of companies – small and large –and many state and local governments are laying off millions of workers, cutting benefits, dishing out furloughs and reducing salaries, this proposal is as intellectually corrupt as it is downright silly. At best Wynn’s suggestion is sheer political grandstanding designed to get her hugs from city workers – apparently immune from the same employment risks as the residents who pay their taxes face – as she strolls through the halls of Roswell’s lavish city hall. At worst it’s just plain idiotic, and indicates her failure to grasp her elected responsibility, the issues that are immobilizing the city and the solutions they demand.

With Roswell’s budget deficit looming in the millions, all options should be on the table, absent of absurd threats to cut council’s pay for considering them. Councilmen Rich Dippolito and Kent Igelheart have demanded that Roswell’s financial staffers at least show them what another $6 million in expense reductions would look like, in lieu of deferring much needed infrastructure capital expenditures and putting the city’s hand in the reserve fund cookie jar. They both have concerns that the recession may worsen, and future revenue projections may not materialize going forward, much like this year. This is forward thinking, and demonstrates real political leadership. 

Wynn, who has never held a real job in the private sector, is best known for playing golf and tennis at country clubs. Perhaps she wants to bring that same “chubby clubbiness” to city hall.

The debate over Roswell’s budget is serious, and Wynn’s proposal – made in a public work session – trivializes the process and mocks any attempt at sound responsible governance.

The next time you are stuck in traffic in Roswell and trying to figure out why the city continues to decay from within, with retailers going belly up by the day and crime skyrocketing around you at night, think of Becky Wynn sitting on Roswell Council. You might get the picture.