Moscow Mayoral Memories

As rumors swirl around Russia's capital regarding the nearly imminent sacking of Mayor Luzhkov, I believe it is important for all of us to take a little walk down memory lane, and say to each other, "Wow, now that was a mayor who knew how to wear jewelry."

Think of your city's mayor, wherever he or she is right now.  Here is a photo of my hometown mayor.

Yes, this is the great Mayor Don L. Robart of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio.  Look at his picture.  Yes, that's right.  If you need a keynote speaker for your Jaycees meeting then Mayor Robart is your man.  I say that with complete confidence although I have no idea what Jaycees do.

But could Mayor Don L. Robart of Cuyahoga Falls dare to have his picture taken with Luzhkov's bling?  That's right.  It wouldn't work, but for Luzhkov it does.  Or at least did.  

Mayor Luzhkov has held Moscow in the stranglehold of his political domain for 18 years.  Are you gasping?  I am.  It's quite a feat to have led this mega-city through the wild 90's and into the 2000's.

I wonder if some Muscovites are simply tired of seeing Mayor Luzhkov every day and just want change.  I mean how many ribbon cuttings with the same major character can you watch on the evening news?

I think we all agree that Luzhkov has had his time at the helm of this world class city and it's time to let a new generation of forward minded thinkers take over the task of curing Moscow of its traffic problems.

At least in America, we don't let people stay in power so long.  That's why we have term limits and everything.

Well maybe except for Mayor Robart.  He has been the mayor of Cuyahoga Falls since I was but a 10 year old lad.  That was 1986.