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The exclusive club of infantile power holders who become intoxicated with ultimate authority exists right here in our community. This club is nothing new and is well known throughout the world.
Infamous others who might be included in this club could be U.S. Secretary of State Alexander Haig, who told all at the White house that he was “in control” after the 1981 assassination attempt on President Ronald Reagan’s life.
Then at the beginnings of our country, there was King George III who abused his power over American colonists. He made the American colonists suffer so sorely that they were driven to adopt a Declaration of Independence in 1776, and that resulted in U.S. independence from Great Britain.
Of course, numerous more names of people abusing power could be added from the realm of politics around the world. Whether the person in power has gained national or international recognition, smaller communities have their own such club members. And Victoria County is no different.
Thursday, it became known that District Attorney Steve Tyler offered Victoria Mayor Will Armstrong a deal (Advocate front page). He wrote that if Armstrong would not run for re-election to the mayor’s office, all efforts to indict the mayor on a charge of misusing official information and criminal conspiracy would cease. Tyler has used his power as district attorney to make such a deal, but he refused to comment on the plea deal he sent to Armstrong’s attorney.
Tyler did comment that it was unethical to discuss the plea deal publicly. This is a veiled attack on the ethics of the mayor who did discuss the deal publicly. We disagree that the mayor was unethical. In fact, the mayor felt the offer was “political blackmail.”
We agree with the mayor. If anybody is abusing power, using it to gain personal ends, riding on the border of ethics and unethics, it is Tyler.
Tyler’s first round of indictments against the mayor and three other city personnel (Police Chief Bruce Ure, Police Lt. Ralph Buentello and city attorney David Smith) were not sound, according to District Judge Robert Cheshire in August. He told Tyler to make amendments to the indictments or he would quash them.
Tyler’s ego may be out of control on this issue as he seeks new indictments. He seems bent on a great divide in our community that can serve no purpose except to serve his ego. Tipsy with power and Tyler, too.
This editorial reflects the views of the Victoria Advocate’s editorial board.