6 Responses to “City Council: Agenda, May 20 meeting”

1. posted by brenda p at May 16, 2008 6:59 pm :
   

   For those asking about departmental hearings as related to the proposed 09 budget, note Item 9e: “Departmental budget hearings, if time allows.”

2. posted by MaryJane at May 17, 2008 4:25 pm :
   

   Why does this worry me ” … if time allows” ? We are talking about our city’s budget here; aren’t the taxpayers owed some sort of fiscal responsibility and accountability from elected officials?

   How much time is necessary to “allow”? Time to allow what? And who decides how much time is enough time for whatever is to be allowed? This whole “allowing” concept bothers me ~ perhaps because it is so vague (hazy?). Is anybody else growing weary of nebulous commitments and explanations?

3. posted by James Wesley Medlin at May 19, 2008 2:13 pm :
   

   Amen to that! We all really know what “if time allows” means. Its like telling a child, “maybe.”

4. posted by John H at May 19, 2008 3:00 pm :
   

   I am not sure if or how many of you attend both city council or schoolboard meetings. I know Akin does, but I wanted to ask you all the question of this. Has or does council get back with you guys with answering any questions that you may present to them when asked? I have been making comments and asking questions of them for sometime now, and lately those questions are going unanswered.

   So for those that may go to this meeting tomorrow, please ask the question. “why are you as council not responding to citizens questions that are being asked? Whether it is letter form or phone call your questions should have a follow up.

5. posted by MaryJane at May 19, 2008 7:49 pm :
   

   With the exception of Wednesday, May 14, I haven’t missed a PPS Board meeting/public hearing since January. In that same period, I’ve maybe missed 2-3 City Council “events”.

   While my questions to the School Board are pretty much unanswered, the chairman was most gracious when he told me he’d have the school’s attorney look into my question regarding the mayor sitting (as a teacher) on the committee that reviews and suggests revisions to school board policies. I mentioned that there might be some conflict of interest when we have a member of City Council (the mayor) directly involved in establishing school board policies … especially since she is very directly involved in controlling funding for said board. The other members of the board didn’t seem to notice or be concerned about the overlapping of roles, so I’m not sure the question ever made it out of the room. I know nothing has been mentioned publicly.

   If you haven’t, you ought to attend a school board meeting (or three) ~ you’ll gain an even broader perspective regarding our city’s policy making.

   As far as questioning City Council goes, I think it truly depends on who and what you are asking. I’ve been able to glean some information from a few members when I’ve posed simple, direct questions after meetings. For some members of both groups (City Council as well as School Board), it may be a question of integrity … if the truth can’t be told, they don’t tell.

6. posted by John H at May 20, 2008 8:08 am :
   

   I am at about 95% of the school board meeting and for me most of my questions there are answered, but talking with others theirs are not.

   I may get comments but no official answers from city council.

   I rarely get up to speak unless it is something I feel strongly on or it is an issue within my neighborhood.

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