An unfortunate legacy

The late Mayor Bob O'Connor's short time in office likely will be remembered for its sad ending as much as for anything else. But after reading this story yesterday, it occurs to me that we may need to remember O'Connor's brief tenure for Dennis Regan.

Luke Ravenstahl may have showed a lack of judgment--and fortitude--in keeping Regan on after O'Connor died, and in nominating him for public safety director, but it was O'Connor who unleashed Regan on the city in the first place. Perhaps, if O'Connor had not became ill, he would have held Regan in check. Or perhaps with a more powerful mayor to protect him, Regan might have wreaked even more havoc.

We will never know. But regardless, we should be glad that Regan can longer do any harm, even though we may not yet know the full extent of the damage.