At one time or another, many adults are reminded of the children’s story about the boy who cried wolf. It seems one member of the DeKalb City Council should learn that lesson.

Seventh Ward Alderman Mark Powell first cried conflict of interest when he accused a city employee of having an interest with a local computer firm. Powell was unsatisfied with the city attorney’s response that there was no conflict of interest and chose to bring it up at a public meeting.

The council voted in favor of city staff spending no more time on what one alderman called a “witch hunt.” But Powell continued to cry conflict of interest—this time to State’s Attorney Phil DiMarzio. The attorney also concluded there was no conflict of interest.

Powell then cried fiscal mismanagement and called for the resignation of City Manager Mark Stevens. The council not surprisingly did not take the alderman’s suggestion seriously.

Now, Powell is crying censorship. Powell was escorted out of the June 27 council meeting by police chief Joe Maciejewski after interupting testimony from John Castle, a DeKalb businessman.

A press release distributed by Powell at Monday’s council meeting states, “The extreme acts of this administration to hush political opposition can no longer continue.”

What will Powell cry next?

Already, the rest of the council no longer accepts Powell’s arguments. Several times votes have gone 6 to 1 with Powell in opposition to the rest of the council.

Powell’s press release states that he “has strongly agreed with the words of the great republican, Abraham Lincoln, who said, ‘A house divided cannot stand.'” However, Powell’s actions seem to have divided the council.

If Powell continues to cry wolf, it is unlikely the council or the residents of DeKalb will take his claims seriously.