Anyone paying attention to Sultan politics since mid-July knows that Mayor Rowe is amazing. Really amazing.

Those who watch him closely know he's charming and affable, and at his best, highly entertaining. His "Aw, shucks" routine is one of the best I've ever seen. At his worst, he's a slippery, less-than-forthright politician with the heart of a tyrant. It has less to do with how "nice" a guy he seems, than it does with how he rules -- and is ruled -- by power and blatant self-interest.

Even a short list of disasters during Rowe's not-quite-three-years in office reads like a titanic list of buzz words: Willow Run, LID 97-1, DNR Powerhouse gravel, and the latest, Chief Walser's unwarranted suspension (or, How I Spent My Summer Vacation Courtesy of Mayor Rowe and the Sultan Taxpayers, a story to which we hope there's no sequel.)

Although Rowe has managed to wiggle out from under each problem du jour, he has also felt the brunt of an escalating public outrage. The slithery, silvery trail he's left behind him points like a giant arrow as the most visible reason Sultan is in such a mess. He can escape no longer. I mean, is there anyone left in Sultan who believes anything Rowe says?

His credibility gone, desperate to finish his term and save the traditional office of mayor as the city's source of power for whatever crown prince might step forward, Rowe has rallied his faithful around him in an artful show of distraction worthy of David Copperfield. He's trying to pull off one last feat of prestidigitation by using the trick he and his friends have perfected: Accuse your opponent of outrageous actions which you have already done. Case in point: Rowe and his four council proponents virtually rewrite state statute by moving the ballot date on the vote to change Sultan's form of government to an unheard of 14 months into the future, justified by saying the voters need time in which to be "educated." Then he stumbles all over himself by using his almost-limitless mayoral powers to rush an irrelevant petition calling for "responsible government" (by the removal of two council positions -- Everett's and Raney's). Their inept plan, I'm sure, was to force it onto the November ballot for a quick vote. Somewhere between the 9-4-02 council meeting when they voted for a 14-month delay on a valid petition, Rowe and the council found instantaneous and new respect for voters' intelligence. I will not comment on Rowe's personal role in this charade, because I believe the motivations behind these actions are clear even to the most uneducated and not-so-bright voter.

In reality, Rowe and the council have removed the most precious gifts Americans have by which to enforce accountable government: Their vote and voice. They have utilized this coy ploy repeatedly, sometimes doing the reverse: Making an outrageous statement, i.e., the ProSultan group is attempting to take away the vote by eliminating the mayor's position, then voting to delay a vote on a valid petition by 14 months. Ah, Sultan is nothing, if not entertaining.

By now everyone has realized that the Emperor indeed has no clothes, including Rowe himself. So now he's turning to others to help him in another effective distraction so they won't look at what the old man in the corner is doing with the curtain: give them something more interesting to look at. To whit, the reading by Councilmember Bruce Champeaux (who showed great promise earlier this year by giving the appearance of remaining independent and objective) of a Herald staff opinion, urging caution to the City of Marysville on their change of government issue, and fighting tooth and nail to justify delaying to death the vote on the ProSultan petition.

Another one: Councilmember Dusty Boucher not only supported Champeaux's action on the 14-month delay, but congratulating him on his "wisdom"; following Perry McPherson's lead by urging that the Willow Run documents be released (one has to wonder what may recently have been "found" in those documents that would be beneficial if made public); and using the old coy ploy yet again by accusing Councilman Everett of grandstanding. Now, if that ain't the pot talking and walking around the kitchen!

But my personal fave is Rowe pushing his well-worn folksy I'm-a-nice-guy-even-my-dog-likes-me pre-programmed button, suddenly overflowing with generous, good acts. The most stupendously cheeky of which is to ask the Willow Run folks if he and some other charitable friends couldn't just trot on over to The Run one weekend and lend a hand to try and fix some of the problems over there (created largely by hissonor), no doubt with a Sky Valley Weekly News photographer in tow for a front page photo op. Well, the ol' magician's top hat (color it black) must have one or two bits of magic remaining if he can install irrigation lines and sidewalks, relocate fire hydrants and cut down 50-foot hazardous trees, all with his bare hands on a single Saturday afternoon. Not to mention getting proper permits. (Of course, they do have access to the services of an awesome Yellow Dragon, as well as mayoral authority, so perhaps I'm underestimating his abilities.)

Another interesting distraction is Rowe's and Dusty's sudden keen interest in finding a city administrator. There are several sly strategic political reasons for this -- and some serious questions, too, considering Rowe's comment at the end of the 9-18-02 council meeting that a "consensus" of councilmembers had agreed not to fill that position because of budget constraints with nary a word in open session -- but let's just stick to the simplest of questions: What kind of administrator would wish to work for Rowe -- or any other Sultan mayor -- in a town with Sultan's history and current, apparently unredeemable, reputation? A crook? A desperate "Yes" man or woman who would do anything they're told? A total incompetent?

Whether many of the things that have gone wrong are Rowe's fault or not, the crux of the problem is this: Sultan needs A New Act. The mindset of Rowe and others who have held sway over Sultan for years is one of lawlessness, one in which the goal thoroughly justifies the means with the one in power rolling over the little guys. And whether there is a mayor-council form of government, or one where the manager administers at the pleasure of the council, Sultan will never, ever turn its future sunny side up until that dark-sided approach is eradicated from city government.

If Sultan truly wishes to become a "player," it must join together to forge a stronger new dynamic and vision; one that will ensure the public is not only invited to the party, but is truly encouraged to participate in Sultan's future cornucopia -- and is listened to -- something that has never happened during Rowe's tenure, or, I have heard, few other mayoral administrations. And that means economic development types side-by-side with the little guys who own or rent a 900-square-foot castle. Little guys who want to be listened to, who want to stay in Sultan (instead of selling out), who don't want a Big Box Store but do want to grow with grace; those who want a beautiful Sultan where their children can play and enjoy cherished natural wonders in an economically-viable and lawsuit-free town that pays its own way.

Despite the mindset of men like Rowe, Sultan can have it all. And it WILL take a village to do it.