Source: Embattled Bedford Mayor Seeking Re-Election
Tim Black is expected to run despite multiple scandals
When Bedford’s Mayor, Tim Black, attempted to sell a priceless piece of town-owned land to a friend far below market value in January, we broke the story in the hopes of exposing how corruption can negatively impact our community.
We could not, however, have anticipated the slew of tips we received in the days that followed about another controversy brewing in Bedford: a $12-15Million police palace that Black was also mysteriously shepherding toward approval, even spending nearly $1M on the design alone.
Months later, Black stirred the pot again: temporarily jacking up electric rates on its utility customers in the midst of historic inflation, a move described by one source and former town official as “horrid and unthinkable.”
These are just some of the hurdles Black and his colleagues now face while circulating petitions to be on the ballot for one of seven council seats up for grabs. Some are three year terms, others are just one year.
The election was triggered by perhaps the most avoidable decision Black led in the past year: annexing and doubling the taxes of more than 1,000 County households. The decision birthed a new political group in the impacted communities, with more than enough votes to tip the scales in November.
But Black comes from a politician family and is well versed in the fundamentals of local elections. His late mother, an elected official in the community for decades, campaigned for him during his first term nearly ten years ago.
She knew the basics of how to win locally. She also knew how to avoid controversy and maintain alliances - something her son clearly did not inherit.
In November, anything could happen, and the more people pay attention - the better.
