Who remembers what happened every time Norm Petterson entered the bar? Yep, thats right, every one on set yelled out… “NORM”! I call it the Norm Syndrome.

Why discuss this here? Well quite simply, it is my opinion that several members of our Council are seriously affected by the Norm Syndrome.

Whether it’s arriving at work, stopping in to their favourite bar or attending an official function, they appear to thrive on the recognition factor.

I honestly believe that they think these enthusiastic greeting are the main part of their job. When some of them justified their recent big raise by complaining that they attend so many ribbon cuttings, I could visualize them walking into the room and expecting the crowd to yell out, “Brian”, or “Joe”, etc..

I think what they forget though is that George Wendt was an actor. That scripted line was a genius piece of writing that provided Norm Peterson with a legacy. I certainly think this Council will have a legacy, but I think it will be sour and affixed to certain land deals.

Our Council members however are not supposed to have two personalities. Our Mayor (at Council meetings) should be the same Brian Smith you might bump into walking his dog outside his home, up in Tiny Township.

But when you listen to them justify their recent wage raise with so many ideations of importance, one has to wonder if they realize they are only playing the part of a Council member until their sitcom gets cancelled.

The next time you are in a room with any of them, close your eyes and say “Norm” under your breath and see if it fits. If nothing, else comes of it, I suspect you will get a good chuckle.