Owen on a Witch-hunt cont...
One answer as to why Owen is so bent on bringing down Jackson is sour grapes. It doesn't take much to read between the lines and see that Owen is bitter, and it's our opinion he has personal reasons for trying to take down Jackson. Jackson defeated Owen in the last election, and that's reason enough; but it may go deeper than that. Jackson has done a lot for the city, and it's unclear to us what Owen ever did. Jackson has rebuilt the city infrastructure. Under his watch, the growth and development of the city has exploded. we now see the new city centre, the new sports stadium, plans for increased infrastructure transit, and Jackson's response to the recent city disasters. We've seen Jackson act like a mayor, what's wrong with that Jim?
It's strange to us why Owen would make such an effort as to ask for the resignation of the Jackson, based on initial accusations that have yet to be proven true. It looks like a typical tactic used by one that seeks something more than "looking after the best interest of the city", as Owen claimed in the Rio Rancho Journal (6/7/2007). Maybe it's personal with Owen. Maybe he was just waiting to "get back" at Jackson for defeating him in the election, and for firing his good friend Palenick. After all, it's not seemly for one to attack based on hearsay, and if anyone should know this, it's Jim Owen. While making the claim that the city is ("being basically dragged through the mud because of (Jackson's) personal issues..." Rio Rancho Journal 6/7/2007), he (Owen) hopes you won't remember his personal issues that one could argue "dragged the city through the mud" in 2006.)
Owen was accused of not disclosing his 2001 felony child abuse charges on campaign questionnaires (the original story is here- subscription needed) - While Owen claimed that the charge of child abuse was unfounded, and it was dismissed because of lack of proof, the incident shows just how troublesome it can be to have accusations raised against you, true or not true, before you've had a chance to defend yourself. This happens most often with persons that have the public spotlight. It's unfortunate. Yet Owen has no problem using the tactic against Jackson. It goes like this: dig up the dirt if there is any. If you have to , blow it out of proportion. Take it to the media. Demand action. Wait and watch the sparks fly. Owen thinks we're stupid, and as citizens, we can't see what he's doing. We say we can see it, and we feel embarrassed for him.
We suggest that no one take Owen seriously. It's obvious what he's trying to do, and it stinks. It may be that he has plans of his own, and it may be that we're seeing his name in the paper lately because it's to his advantage, not yours as a citizen. Let the investigation on Jackson proceed, and let the chips fall where they may. The system doesn't need any help from Owen. He's no longer mayor. We're not sure why he feels the need to attack, but it's best to keep and open mind in these matters - even if past and present elected officials choose not to.
The opinions expressed on this site are not necessarily the opinions of RRIF.