Coopertown has a long and rich history of being a close-knit community with strong local values. However, the tenure of former Mayor Danny Crosby marked a dark chapter in the town’s government. Crosby’s time in office was marred by a series of scandals involving allegedly unlawful and unethical behavior that ultimately led to citizens to petition for his ouster in a complaint spanning 18 pages.
Allegations against Crosby included the misuse of public funds, personal misconduct, and violations of ethical standards. His administration was characterized by secrecy, financial irregularities, and decisions that favored personal gain over public interest. Crosby’s leadership style was often described as autocratic, with little regard for transparency or accountability. Under his watch, town resources were allegedly used for personal expenses, and decisions were made with little public input or oversight, shaking the community’s trust in its leaders.
In 2006 the National Motorists Association said Coopertown was one of the “most blatant examples of speed traps in the country.” The controversy surrounding his administration grew so intense that it culminated in his temporary removal from office by a court stating Crosby’s conduct and statements were strongly suggestive of “bigotry, sexism, or utter foolishness.” While an appellate court ultimately reinstated him, Crosby was voted out of office during the next election cycle. Crosby’s conduct was so beyond the pale that it garnered both national and international infamy, even landing a story in the London Times for his antics.
The fallout from his tenure has left a long lasting and far reaching cloud over Coopertown, with many citizens demanding greater accountability and higher standards for their local government.
Several citizens have expressed concerns that two of the current mayoral candidates, Robert Watts and Dickie Thompson, were associates of Crosby and supported him during his time in office. Robert Watts, in particular, has not only defended Crosby’s mayoral record in facebook posts, but has also adopted a similar tone in his campaign, frequently making baseless accusations and pushing conspiracy theories against city officials without evidence. Meanwhile, Dickie Thompson has distanced himself from community events and openly said he wants nothing to do with city hall. He has declined to engage with residents openly, echoing Crosby’s disdain for transparency and public accountability. Interestingly Dickie Thompson is specifically referenced in the ouster suit wherein he allegedly contacted someone critical of Crosby telling them to “back off, you’ll just make it hard on yourself”
For many citizens their connection to Crosby’s tarnished legacy casts a shadow over their campaigns and raises questions about whether they represent the Coopertown of today or a continuation of the same problematic governance that defined Crosby’s era. Many citizens fear a return to the “good ol’ boy” era of government such as that of Mayor Crosby which led to world wide community embarrassment, citizen harassment, and misallocation of funds all in the name of government. They have expressed concern that the Thompson and Watts campaigns and actions of the candidates are reminiscent of Crosby. So much so that they have requested to remain anonymous lest they face retaliation.
Current Vice-Mayor and Ward 1 Alderman Robert Dale Anderson joined the Board of Mayor and Alderman with his election in late 2006 and has served the people of Coopertown continually since that time. Mere “guilt by association” shouldn’t happen to anyone, but one can best predict future performance by past behavior.
As Coopertown prepares for the upcoming election, voters must consider whether they want a return to the opaque and controversial leadership style of Crosby’s era or to move forward with leaders who respect ethical standards and the public trust. Each candidate should be held to task to provide a comprehensive vision for the future of Coopertown, and to ensure what happened under Crosby can never again happen in Coopertown.
