Piedmont’s Crisis of Competence, Not Zip Codes
| A recent op-ed, “Trump Derangement Syndrome,” despite its curious distractions, inadvertently underscores frustrations shared by many residents. There is clear agreement: the city administrator’s performance is lacking, and the council’s composition is a problem. The author is also correct that the manufactured rivalry between Upper and Lower Piedmont is a distraction from our shared governance failures. However, the analysis is flawed. The claim on property values is simply incorrect, with data showing a clear decline in Lower Piedmont. The criticism of lawyers on the council is valid, but requires precision. Three long-serving members, all lawyers, have consistently exhibited a lack of vision and effectiveness. Conversely, the newest member, while also legally trained, has demonstrated a markedly more competent and prepared approach to governance, proving that the issue isn’t the degree itself, but how one uses it. This stands in stark contrast to the non-lawyer member, whose lengthy tenure has been defined by a silent, rubber-stamp compliance that fails to provide any meaningful check on administration. The problem isn’t just the profession—it’s a pervasive lack of accountability and skill that crosses educational boundaries. We must demand better. |