Ray is acting like a spoiled child. At the City Council Meeting it was Drew Combs who suggested that, given the unexpectedly large number of applicants (14) and the very limited time for the "interviews," (which merely comprised a 5 minute statement from them + a short response to any questions posed by the Council member) it would be fairer to the applicants for the process to be delayed to give them more time to assess the time commitments and requirements for the position.
The other members of the Council, the City Manager and the town Attorney all tried valiantly to come up with a date for the continued hearing and January 9 was the only date possible. This is not a matter that should be conducted in a "back room." The January 9th date was properly noticed and should be complied with.
It was Ray who opted for the BOS position and he knew the procedure for selecting his successor. Presumably he could have resigned earlier to give the Council and applicants more time for the selection process. I would also point out that Sharon Heights is NOT the only part of his district. It doesnt take a genius to figure out his choice to replace him, and maybe there are other applicants who can offer a fresh perspective given that the City and the population has changed a lot in the last ten plus years.
It is also unseemly for the local newspapers to have treated this in such a puerile way: especially the front age article in the Post by Braden Cartwright entitled "2 Councilwomen wont let Mueller vote on replacement" This is sexist and uncalled for, and reflects very badly on the editor.
In my opinion, Ray has never done anything significant to benefit the city, has taken credit for the work of others, and I am only sorry that he got elected to the Board of Supervisors. Hopefully he will not behave so childishly in that position.
