Cinniapolis Chorus sources indicate there is a rally planned on the day after the annual Cinniapolis State of the City Address (SOTC). There are conflicting accounts on what the rally will specifically address, but multiple sources confirm the leaders of the rally are local business owners, Waldo Penney and Gregory Dragg. Both recently responded to the rumors of upcoming government enforced shelter in place orders to alleviate factors contributing to climate change.

During the lunch hour on 510 AM last week, Mr. Penney made his stance known, “The current administration has failed Cinniapolis. The virus lockdowns were illegal. Prior to the government forced business closures, Cinniapolis was a busy vibrant center for small business. Now, there are vacant lots and boarded up windows on empty storefronts. Then, I hear rumblings about new restrictions in response to climate change. I am fed up and my fellow citizens are fed up. It’s time to demonstrate and demand change.” Mr. Penney is the owner of Penney’s Fish Market. He is concerned his business may not survive the next round of social restrictions after thriving and posting record profits during the virus lockdowns. “We got lucky. We provide products that comfort people. And, people needed comfort during that time,” he said. However, he had no comment in response to being designated as a leader of the SOTC rally.

Mr. Dragg has also been an outspoken critic of Mayor Gondola’s administration. He is a frequent guest during the afternoon drive hours on 510 AM. Mr. Dragg owns Dragg Meat & Dairy. He also reported record profits as a result of the virus shelter in place orders. He organized several fundraisers for local businesses affected by the virus but his efforts were not enough to keep any of them open. “We tried. We tried very hard. But, in the end, businesses need customers more than an injection of cash to stay operational,” he said. Mr. Dragg has been accused of re-allocating funds raised for struggling businesses into his own coffers, after each of those struggling businesses closed down. “That is a wild tale,” he said, while not confirming or outright denying those allegations. When asked about organizing a rally for the SOTC, he also found that to be presumptuous, “Wow, another wild tale.”

As the SOTC approaches, it seems imminent there will be a rally. Although, it’s not clear who is organizing, who will attend, or what message will be communicated. We reached out to Mayor Gondola’s office for comment. The Mayor responded, “I look forward to sharing our successes and areas for improvement in Cinniapolis. Our great city is in terrific shape.” That’s one man’s opinion. As evidenced above, opinions are made to be argued.