You’ve put Ron Kelley in an impossible spot this week, Mr. Wright.
Your fellow councilman has a tough choice to make as a result of your self-inflicted controversy: he’ll either hold you accountable for your error in judgment, or he’ll sacrifice his own standing in the community by condoning your behavior. Either way, it’s a tough place to be.
You see, Mr. Wright, your words are right there in black and white.
When you and former interim city manager Tilman Mears exchanged derogatory comments about your political opponents in a private Facebook group, you belittled the very people who elected you to serve them.
When Mr. Mears posted an image of a dart board, complete with images of former city manager Kim Kirby, former council member Mac Carpenter, former mayor Harold Carpenter, sitting mayor Bob Campbell, citizen Diane Pickett, and citizen Bob McKnight, and then referred to the dart board as “cute,” he made himself look petty and unprofessional.
When you commented that you loved it, and then suggested you would buy one for yourself if it could be changed to include the members of DeFuniak’s watchdog group “C-FOWARD Gang,” (your words) you undermined your own integrity.
Then, when you referred to the group as “a team of world renowned better than thou’s” and suggested that city council hopeful Bob McKnight should “BRING IT ON!!!!” you put Mr. Kelley in a heck of a tough spot.
You see, Mr. Kelley reminded us last year that we should always seek out our council members if we wanted to know the truth about the city.
“… To find out the true state of your city, never settle for gossip, go straight to the source and contact a city council member.”
~Councilman Ron Kelley in his July 25, 2018 Dispatches from DeFuniak
So here we are, Mr. Wright, asking about the true state of the city. We want to know what it means for our city when a sitting councilman chooses to publicly ridicule his constituents.
And while you’re contemplating that statement, consider this one as well:
“… (G)ood government should begin at home. We should always ask, ‘How do I govern myself, my actions, and the things I say and do?'”
~Councilman Ron Kelley in his July 25, 2018 Dispatches from DeFuniak
If it’s true that good government begins at home, Mr. Wright, and that people should govern themselves and their actions, what should Mr. Kelley do in the face of your failure to govern your words and your actions?
Should he call you out for failing to live up to your position? Or should he refuse to take a stand and prove himself to be a politician rather than a leader?
Unfortunately, it gets worse.
Mr. Mears compounded the problem by completely disproving Mr. Kelley’s 2017 words about him:
“[Mears’] dedication and personal integrity are above reproach.”
~Councilman Ron Kelley on Mr. Mears’ resignation as interim city manager
It seems that either Mr. Kelley was wrong in his assessment of Mr. Mears, or Mr. Kelley doesn’t understand what personal integrity means.
Either way, you and Mr. Mears have put Mr. Kelley in an impossible spot. Just as your words are there in black and white, his are too.
“Most of all, I am thankful for the people of this town. They are generous, compassionate, and hard-working. They place a high value on honor and decency….”
~Councilman Ron Kelley in his November 22, 2018 Dispatches from DeFuniak
It’s unfortunate for you that your own words might wreck your re-election campaign before it even has a chance to get underway, Mr. Wright.
The problem is that we’re seeking good government, and according to your friend Mr. Kelley, you just don’t fit the bill.
defuniakfreepress 
DeFuniak Free Press you nailed it yet again. Thank you for revealing truth and for helping us move DeFuniak forward.
Thanks so much for taking the time to read and comment.