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I’m not sure what’s going on — the D&C had another editorial that may actually be on the mark.  In today’s edition, the D&C calls for Monroe County Legislature President Wayne Zyra’s removal from that office.  Given his preformance this year, that might not be a bad idea.

The editorial points out:

If Wayne Zyra, the Republican president of the Monroe County Legislature, was trying to send the message that nothing has really changed in the post-Steve Minarik era of the local GOP, he succeeded Tuesday night.

(snip)

And besides, what was the hurry to put Bartolotta on a dysfunctional board that allowed the selection process for a new MCC president to become mired in partisanship? A delay until next month’s meeting of the county Legislature shouldn’t have been a problem.

(snip)

For this community’s sake, as the No. 1 Republican in the county, Brooks should urge Republican county lawmakers to pick a new leader. Zyra clearly doesn’t reflect the image of a new GOP that Brooks wants to present as collaborative and communicative.

And our blogosphere soul-mate, Philbrick over at Mustardstreet, had a post in January titled “Separated at Birth?”with a picture of Zyra next to the Cowardly Lion. From that post:

At this point Wayne Zyra’s recent performance is almost comical.   But one of yesterday’s news reports gives it an ominous edge.
” ‘We are looking for the president of the legislature to respond to the request of a meeting to discuss this matter . . .,’ Rev. Florence said.”

Note that Rev. Florence didn’tsay “Zyra refused our request.”   Florence said that he, Florence, is “looking for a response”from Zyra. Is this why David Gantt and his band of protesters are so upset?   And why they behaved as they did at the Legislature meeting on Thursday?   Because Wayne Zyra hasn’t even returned their phone calls?  That’s sure what it sounds like.   And it fits completely with Zyra’s consistent “unavailability” to the press.Maybe that’s why Gantt stormed the barricades the other night, shouting in the direction of the Republican lawmakers — because it’s the only way he could get a conversation with Zyra. 

I asked a very well connected friend why Republican’s would keep Zyra on as President.  My friend replied,”It very well be time for Zyra to go. But, there is one major problem, the job of President pays $54,000 — only $36,000 more than the base legislative pay.  When considering possible replacements for Zyra, who could accept the job? Another retiree — Jack Driscoll? Every other Republican legislator has a job and in all likelihood, everyone of those jobs pays significantly more than $36,000.  Would swapping out cranky old white men change anything?”

Now it makes sense.

Tags: Articles, Cincinnatus, Monroe County //