Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk Pulls A ‘Sarah Palin’
It is never easy to be blunt with those we like and respect. But if I am to be honest with myself, and remain credible with my readers, I must be candid tonight about Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk.
I made no bones that it was unacceptable for Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, a Republican, to walk away from her elected duties. So tonight I feel I must be as honest when it comes to a liberal Democrat who is about to do the same.
I am truly upset with the news today that Kathleen Falk will step away from her duties come April 2011. To be up front I have known Kathleen Falk for many years and we greet each other with friendly words every time we meet. I have applauded her work, especially when it concerns alcohol abuse in our county, promoted her campaigns for governor and attorney general, and know full-well she is a most remarkable and intelligent women.
However, Kathleen Falk let me down today. She let all of Dane County down.
Part of me is upset that her talents and passion will no longer be a force in Dane County government. Her efforts at implementing effective social service programs, and signing off on sound environmental policies matched my hopes and desires. She was what every thoughtful liberal yearns for in an elected official. So tonight I am already missing her, and she is not yet even off the public stage.
However, there is also another part of me tonight that is more pissed than sad.
I have this rather old-fashioned notion of when a person asks for my vote they are serious about the full range of responsibilities that come with it. Part of the responsibility is to serve the full term of office.
There was no lack of energy on the part of Kathleen Falk’s campaign when they asked folks to donate money and time to win yet another term as Dane County Executive. There was no lack of passion when Kathleen Falk implored us all to vote for her based on a long list of reasons. But now according to Kathleen Falk there seems to be no reason to stay in the job she worked so hard at winning!
As a voter and citizen I am totally perplexed. Kathleen Falk has made clear that the reason for her abrupt announcement is not due to health concerns, or future job offers. She also made it clear there is no strife in her marriage. She has a grand husband in Peter Bock, who only lacks a smile when his beloved Milwaukee Brewers fail to play hard enough. I fully accept her statements.
I really do feel that there is a bond, though invisible, that connects a leader to the rest of the citizenry. ( I am old-fashioned enough to think this is true.) That bond carries a great deal of trust, and hope. After all, we do not elect just ‘anyone’ to the higher offices in the city, county, or state. We sit through long campaigns and endless political ads to ferret out the wheat from the chaff. Some pray for the wisdom of making a good choice. Others read as much as they can to make the proper selection. After it is all over the one who takes the oath of office must have broad enough shoulders to carry the load. After all, they never lack energy in the attempt to get our votes so we expect them to go the distance once elected.
In the days to come we may yet know the back-story that led to this event. Part of me would like an explantion. The other part of me knows that nothing will mend the broken bond. That is what stings the most.
I won’t vote for her until I find out why she quit!!!!
This has to be deeper than Kathleen simply pulling a Palin. Perhaps she or someone close has health issues too personal or frightening to reveal right now. Perhaps she has a promise from Governor Barrett of a key role in the next administration (Secretary of Health Services? Chair of Blue Ribbon Commission for the Return of Progressive Taxation?) Probably not. I’m baffled.
My chief concern is that Ed Minihan, our excellent Town Chair, will again feel ambitious to move up and by some fluke win, leaving the Town of Dunn without the benefit of his years of experience here.
Nice blog on Kathleen Falk pulling a Sarah Palin. Given that she has been trying for years now to move on to higher office, it should come as no surprise that Kathleen Falk lost interest in the county executive job years ago. Hopefully, this is the end of her political career given that she has shown that she can not be counted upon to complete the job she asked to do. Her excuse of turning 60 is unacceptable. She knew that she would be 60 before her term ended when she asked the people of Dane County to re-elect her.
I wonder what makes politicians resign in mid-term. When they gather the many supporters around them, ask for political campaign fund donations and volunteer time, they are making a contract with their supporters that in exchange for more than their good will and vote, they will take a job and do it to the best of their ability. The voters trust that the person who harasses them on the television air waves with commercial after commercial for months before an election is actually serious about having the job. In Kathleen’s case, her boredom with the job or mid/latelife crisis is not a reason to break the “contract” she made with the thousands who helped her win her job, and the many who elected her. Turning 60 is unacceptable as a reason to quit. She knew that she would be 60 before her term ended when she asked the people of Dane County to re-elect her. Moreover, how hard does that sort of decision make it for anyone else getting along in years to be taken seriously in a culture that already over-values youth!?
As you say, she is a very bright and very affable person. She is the kind of person you would want as a neighbor and friend. Sometimes, though, she has really no sense of the work others have put in on her behalf. When she ran for AG a few years back, and lost, she couldn’t even be bothered to come out and thank her supporters/workers at the rally they were holding in her honor. Winning political office isn’t a solo affair these days and she knows that. The least she could do is keep the job once she gets it!