WHAT'S WITH ANDY

My kids love this cartoon show called "What's with Andy?". It is all about the antics of a boy named Andy Larkin, his friend Danny Pickett, and the citizens of East Gackle whom he is constantly tricking.

If media reports are any indication we have our own prankster named Andy in St. John's. This is a story of an outspoken reformer who became Mayor and continues to have fun as the full-time chair of the Public Utilities Board. It seems that Andy's whopping new salary and past court awards are not enough to allow him to live the life he has become accustomed to. The problem is not his income but some past debts.

Andy successfully sued fellow councilor Paul Sears for defamation after he was accused of not collecting unpaid taxes from companies that donated to his election campaigns. The settlement was not high enough for Andy so as a prank he appealed. Like little Andy Larkin this prank blew up in his face and our Andy lost the appeal and was told to pay Sears' legal bills as well as repay the original settlement.

Andy attempted to hold his Mayor's job and the new position at the PUB. He thought it would be good for the city and save a pile of cash for the taxpayers by avoiding costly by-elections. However it turned out that it was another prank. Andy did not care about the taxpayer's wallet it was his own. He confessed that he needed to stay on to settle this $100,000 debt from the failed court case. Principle Williams finally said enough is enough and told Andy to make a choice.

It has been very quiet since Andy left City Hall. A few parting shots but no pranks. Then yesterday we learn that Andy still does not feel that he should have to pay the $100,000 and has former councilor Kevin Breen out canvassing suckers, I mean companies, for donations to assist Andy in paying down the debt.

Former Cabinet ministers cannot work for companies that their departments did business with for a period of time after they leave politics. Provincial and federal politicians are subject to rules for donations. It seems Andy feels he knows the rules and has promised there will not be even so much as a hint of a conflict of interest, yet he will not divulge who has been approached to bail him out or who has anted up. Are any of them the companies that Sears referred to back in 2003?

Why can't he just get a bank loan and pay his debts like anyone else? Put his house up on a new mortgage? Extend his line of credit or do the things other people have to do? Sure, he said he was capable of doing two jobs at once, so get a second job. I am sure Sobey's or Dominion would love to have a skilled bag boy or perhaps he could be a greeter at Walmart.

This is the same Andy who used to get upset with the derelicts that hang out downtown playing instruments or begging for a few coins. I imagine $100,000 would get a few of them back to British Columbia fairly comfortably. Makes one wonder who the real bums are?