What a man, what a man, what a mighty fine man.

I like a guy who can apologize. I'm not looking for a long winded, angst filled, whiny poem. Just a simple, "It's my fault/responsibility. It won't happen again. I'm sorry."

Mayor Jim Ardis made just such an apology during Tuesday's City Council meeting for a comment he allegedly made to the Journal Star editorial Board. The JP Star quoted Ardis as saying that he believed City Manager Randy Oliver earned a solid "B minus" job performance grade. I was left with the feeling that the comment was taken out of context or a misquote, but Ardis didn't elaborate. Had he laid blame at the editorial board's feet, where it probably belongs, Ardis' apology wouldn't have been sincere. Hopefully, the classy apology will go a long way to heal any wounds inflicted unintentionally.

I also immensely enjoyed Mayor Ardis' Letter to the Editor in today's Journal Star. It seems the Editors were wrong (No! Really? Couldn't happen!) when they quoted Ardis as saying that he no longer supported eliminating the Garbage Fee or fully staffing Fire Station 11. The editorial Board decided to add insult to injury by stating Ardis' new position showed a new maturity that should be a complement to the recently unelected. Ardis' response was classic: Huh?

One must realize that, "Huh?" is polite code for, "What the hell are you freaks smoking?" As it turns out, Ardis would very much like to eliminate the garbage fee and restore Fire Station 11, but understands that it would take a continuous revenue stream to do so. That is, Ardis knows he is Mayor, not a benevolent king. It will take six votes and the right priorities from Council to get the job done.

So, about Fire Station 11... If Bob Manning, Councilman and CPA extraordinaire, can devise a prudent financial plan to purchase a severely overpriced water company, I'm thinking this guy can find us $700,000 a year to fully re-open Station 11. No pressure Bob. I'm very impressed with Manning and so is everyone I know on the East Bluff. He is kind. He is humble. He has good manners. He returns phone calls. He gets stuff done. Refreshing in a politician.

I'm going to make a very premature prediction, just so I can be the first to say "I told you so" in the very distanct future. Manning is the heir apparent for the Mayorship should Ardis not seek another term.

I hope City Council (and all government bodies, everywhere) learned a lesson from Hurricane Katrina. Forgiveness is possible for raising taxes or not eliminating an unfair fee. However, you will be ridden out of town on a rail if you bank on a tragedy not occurring on your watch. Tragedies inevitably happen. They always have. If people die because proper equipment and manpower are not available to put out a fire at a school, nursing home, or factory, there will be no excuse or reason worthy of forgiveness.