November 8, 1998
It is only a minor compromise; Jimmy tells me this week after local
elections eased several republicans onto the township council.
Jimmy, who only a few weeks ago accused me of being some kind of right-wing
zealot, has had to do some writing of campaign literature, part of his deal
with the devil in order to guarantee his job.
No one, of course, puts it in such extreme terms, but the issue is
understood. If Jimmy wishes to maintain his position in the community, a
position that has remarkable political power (despite his own non-political
nature), he has to cooperate.
Library directors are often put at such odds with their own feelings.
In Secaucus, the recently deceased director cooperated with town hall for
nearly three decades, doing some of the mayor's political dirty work as part of
that compromise.
She didn't see it as dirty work, nor did the mayor, but as a necessary
evil both needed to do in order to keep themselves in a position to continue
their work.
For Jimmy, too much rests on these politicians for him to take a stand
(even if he saw a necessity for it), a new library, updated equipment, his
grandfathered position as a non-degree director.
Perhaps, Jimmy's ability to purchase a movie-making program for the
library computer was one small tip for his favors, with many more to follow if
he continues to help.
But he does have to fear a change of administration, and the perception
of the now-outs and someday-ins that he is a Republican or so entrenched with
the current administration that he must be removed.
In Secaucus, the mayor managed to forge an agreement with the new
powers, thus keeping in place many of those he appointed, and by the time a
truly rebellious opponent took over town hall, it was too late to remove the
director -- though the new mayor did manage to stall construction of a new
library until after that director retired and died.
I have no clue as to how dangerous a game Jimmy plays, whether he will
be forced to sell his soul entirely someday, or will managed to float between the
political factions, giving each what they want when they want it.
If Jimmy's history is any indication, he will do fine, since he has
been caught in the middle of more personal conflicts, and has always landed on
his feet (though Garrick puts it more obscenely when he says: "Jimmy
always steps in shit!")
The fact that Jimmy's had to mention his devilish situation makes me
believe he feels guilty over it, especially considering his strong feelings in
protecting President Clinton, and his strong dislike for Newt Gingrich, the
leader of the Republicans in the house, but then, It is Newt, not Clinton that
resigned this week, and perhaps Jimmy has had to keep mum in the library about
his own happiness.
Of course, he says party labels don't matter much on a local level, and
for the most part, he's right. But still...
(Update 2020) As it turns out, Jimmy became the victim of political intrigue
when the assistant municipal town clerk – who had been dating one of the
councilmen and later sued others for revealing just how much money she made (implying
her relationship may have contributed to her salary) managed to manipulate her
way into Jimmy’s job, forcing his retirement in 2010.)
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