PROCLAMATION: BENTKOWSKI'S BOOK IMMATURE, PERVERSE

The Bizarre Boy Mayor has taken his one-man circus on the road. Seven Hills Mayor David Bentkowski is promoting his book The Power of The Proclamation, in which he shares tales of goofy encounters with stars such as LL Cool J and Norah Jones. The 36-year-old mayor’s book is based on an ongoing stunt in which he uses his power as mayor to award official proclamations of recognition to random celebrities.

We're not surprised that Bentkowski never sent us a review copy. Last year Bentkowski sued Scene's former owner, Village Voice Media, for defamation over being described as having “the political IQ of Quiznos’ lettuce.” In November, a federal judge ruled that Bentkowski’s complaint had no merit and dismissed it.

But fortunately a Pittsburgh-based college newspaper reporter read Bentkowski's book so we wouldn't have to. Bentkowski was in the Steel City in November promoting his book (and himself) at colleges there, and a reviewer for Duquesne weekly student paper The Duquesne Duke had this to say about Proclamation (under the headline "Ohio mayor's book immature, perverse":

The first question that comes to mind…is “Why?”

And this:

One memorable chapter, featuring an interview with rapper LL Cool J, begins with a revelation of the size of the author’s penis, and includes multiple seemingly semi-racist stereotypes about African-American men.

And finally:

To some, it may even seem slightly shocking that a public official would write a book that seems more geared toward frat boys than potential voters.

Heh. Not to us.

The Duke’s rating of the book: one half of one star (out of five). Bentkowski probably won't be sending them a copy of his next book, From Sea to Shining Sea, which we're guessing is about working out, judging from the "before" picture on his web site. — Damian Guevara