It's more comfortable to believe that there's something terrible going on, rather than just a matter of something moving more slowly through the bureaucracy than they'd like. Even some officials involved in the historic review process privately speculate that the administration hoped to hold the issue until after the May 15 primary. And as things have turned out, no one will have to make that choice until after the election. The legislation was being sent to council as this issue went to press, but even so, City Clerk Linda Johnson-Wasler says the earliest a hearing could be held on St. Nicholas would be two weeks after the primary. A vote would come even later.
Root denies that the administration was sitting on the legislation.
In terms of votes, I don't know where it goes. Indeed, the matter probably presents O'Connor with the same no-win dilemma, and certainly no one in city council has been demanding the legislation. Both sides in this dispute have been kept in limbo about the church's fate for months longer than is necessary. And if city leaders don't vote their way, neither side will have any recourse at the polls. Those concerned for the church' s future have lost a chance to have some political leverage on the issue.