As I write this, it is uncertain what will happen next. The right thing to do, and simplest, is for the committee to hold a public meeting and take another vote. But, when it comes to government, what is right and simple doesn’t always happen. Rather than do the obvious and hold a public meeting, the city is demanding that I post a bond to cover damages in the event someone sues the city for failure to offer health benefits to civilunion partners.

There is no indication that the city is ready to drop its legal fight to preserve secret meetings, despite Otwell’s ruling. And, really, the city’s obstinacy isn’t surprising, when you think about it. Under state law, the city must pay my legal expenses if I prevail, but it’s not the mayor’s money, or the council’s money, or the unions’ money at stake. It is my money, as well as everyone else’s money who lives in Springfield and pays taxes. And when you play with house money, the bets sometimes don’t make sense.

Contact Bruce Rushton at [email protected].