Monday, April 20, 2009

A mayor with morals

Warren, Michigan Mayor Jim Fouts was stopped for going slightly over the speed limit in his own town while he was driving to City Hall, and the officer let him off with a warning. Mayor Fouts, after thinking things over, subsequently called up the police department and asked to be ticketed for the offense, and the deputy police commissioner obliged.

"Fouts told The Detroit News that he 'had to set an example.'"

Outstanding, sir. I'm sure the town's residents very much appreciate your avoiding even the hint of favoritism, especially since no one probably would have ever been the wiser about the incident had you not asked to be ticketed.

Mayor Fouts almost certainly didn't mean for this to happen, but that $100 fine has certainly bought him a mountain of respect and goodwill for his display of leading by example, and deservedly so. That's the kind of person we need in office as our public servant - someone who realizes that regardless of their title, they are subject to the same laws as the rest of us.

Warren residents who violate the town's speed limit now officially have no excuse for not paying up. Grin and dig deep, just like your honest mayor did.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Are you kidding? Fouts asked for the ticket BECAUSE he knew he'd take heat for favoritism. Ask yourself this question: Who issued the press release on this "story?"