On the Local Front

Politics in our area is getting about as dirty as it gets.

First, the Mayor of Ontario last year, was caught in an extramarital affair. That’s bad, of course, and made worse publicly by the fact that he is also a pastor.

What’s even worse than that though is the way it all came out. Someone, obviously his political opponents, knew of it and (anonymously) hired a private investigator and an attorney to document the affair and basically make it as public as possible.

Fast forward to the last couple months. Mayor Paul Leon has been humbled. He is reconciling with his wife – yes, they are still together. I don’t know if he has resumed his role as pastor of a local church or not – the last I heard he was on leave. But people are still coming forward at City Council meetings demanding his resignation for his betrayal, as well as demanding a criminal investigation as to whether it was done on “city time” or with public resources.

First, elected officials do not punch a clock – there is no such thing as his being on “city time.” As for public resources, that should be easily discerned by checking the credit card statements from last year for local hotel charges… if he even has a city credit card… I don’t know.

I do know this: I know Paul Leon, and he has changed. He is more humble, and when he said publicly, that “last year was not my best year,” that his family and many close friends have forgiven (or are forgiving) him, and further that it hurts that many friends were lost because they can’t forgive him – I believe him. I hear from Paul one who fell, and has repented. I see in him and his wife a couple with troubles publicly exposed and humiliated, yet together.
It’s another awful example of a Christian leader in public moral failure. I do not excuse it or lessen it in any way. But to see political opponents attempt to capitalize on it the way they have, frankly makes me sick.

I pray for Paul, and his wife and family, regularly, and I hope anyone who reads this does as well.