It was deja vu all over again when the city of Collinsville was discussing the future of Miner's Theater in its Feb. 11 special meeting. It appears Mayor John Miller again violated his powers as the chair of our weak-mayor form of government.

The Miner's was discussed for more than a half hour on Dec. 10 and then the council recessed (with full pay) until Jan. 14 when at a special meeting it discussed the Miner's again.

On Dec. 17 a news article in the Suburban Journal said newly appointed interim Councilwoman Joyce Biegert had not decided on how she might vote on putting more money in the controversial building.

I then addressed the council on Jan. 14 about Biegert being tainted and that she should abstain from voting on the Miner's building. Also Miller was criticized for bias in advertising Biegert's Jewelry in the city-produced Scoop while failing to mention Butterfield's and Simon's jewelry, which are also on Main Street.

In a Feb. 11 special meeting it was mentioned that Uptown Development Leah Joyce's office had formed a membership committee of the board of Miner's Foundation. By what authority does a director of a city subsidiary body have to form a committee of a foreign

foundation?

The city manager has the responsibility of the operations of the city but the video shows that it was the mayor who directed the employee to solicit and he once again usurped his powers.

Senior Councilwoman Nancy Moss should have spoken out.

Bob DesPain

Collinsville