A new week, lots to talk about. This morning’s paper told us that the City will be setting its priorities this Thursday. It’s a workshop in public, but the public can’t participate. Go figure.
Any thoughts, comments, questions? You are allowed to participate here!
Dan, give ghe city a pass on this one. A workshop is round table discussion. It is open to the public for observation, but not participation. That is the nature of a brainstorm or workshop.
Comment by Gary Ingram — April 7, 2008 @ 1:31 pm
So you’re saying that the City fails to recognize that citizens also have brains?
Comment by Dan — April 7, 2008 @ 1:36 pm
Gary, it would not be difficult for the city to allow Public Comments of 3-5min. each at the beginning of the workshop. Then the ideas of the public could be considered as the council members hold up their green, red or yellow cards to establish the budget priorities for next year. The way it happens now, the public has to wait until months into the process and by then the priorities are set and the details are firm; it’s too late. And everyone knows it, that’s why almost no one ever goes.
Comment by mary — April 7, 2008 @ 2:04 pm
Dan, whose brains are at work is not the issue. The elected officials are exercising their obligation to plan. They kind of earned the right to do so. I know you support planning. Now let’s see what they come up with adn let the public weigh in on its value to the community.
Comment by Gary Ingram — April 7, 2008 @ 2:09 pm
One wonders what will be voiced in front of the public as opposed to what’s discussed behind closed doors.
Comment by Wallypog — April 7, 2008 @ 4:11 pm
Workshops where the public can watch but not talk are one of many tools that are used by government to work towards a predetermined outcome. Actual honest planning would welcome citizen input at every opportunity and would include citizen participation.
Comment by Pariah — April 8, 2008 @ 5:49 pm
If this is a noticed workshop, the person chairing the meeting may ask anyone outside of the council, board, etc., for brief comments. Exclusion is not mandatory.
Comment by Susie Snedaker — April 8, 2008 @ 8:39 pm
Yes, Susie, but you well know, the key word is “may”. They don’t have to invite the public to comment or they “may” invite on certain members of the audience to comment, but not all. Typically they don’t. And the news article signaled that the public would have to wait until later in the year. It’s at the will of the chairperson, in this case the Mayor.
Comment by mary — April 9, 2008 @ 7:38 am
I was the only member of the public who attended a council budget workshop last summer. The attendees consisted of the elected officials and staff. The mayor’s opening remarks included a comment that if any member of the public wished to comment there might be time at the end of the meeting. Need I add how rude it was not to refer to me by name?
Comment by Susie Snedaker — April 9, 2008 @ 7:54 am