Cooney: Practice giving second chances

To call for the immediate resignation and the disgrace of our hard-working mayor and two, well-meaning Council members is a reactive response without enough circumspection. Misspeak by known-to-be-good people ought not become a singular condemnation of their identity because an error does not ipso facto equate to a negative absolute about one’s core principles.

Seizing an opportunity to discredit and hurtfully brand others whose political views differ from an opposing constituency are often at play in this dynamic.

Trying to thread the needle between community and commodity on City Council is a tough job. Unfortunately, spontaneous responses without forewarning of a topic can produce misstatements. Yet, who among us has not misspoken and said something we regretted soon after? Apologies and forgiveness can right the ship.

At the same time, many appreciate the decent citizens from the ranks of local townspeople who are willing to step into the nonstop turbulence and run for office, while most shy away from the hot griddle and punishing schedule the job requires. Aspen residents inclined to run for office who are trained diplomats, doctorate ethicists, or philosopher kings are hard to find.

Now is a good time to take a log off the fire and practice locally the healing power of second chances – especially when the wheels seem to be coming off the world everywhere else.

Tim Cooney

Aspen