"What sense can it possibly make for council members to hear constituents’ concerns on a matter that they have already voted on?[sic]"Indeed. Were More's premise correct, that would be nonsensical. He is not up to speed on the facts, however. The speakers from the floor period is for commentary from citizens on matters NOT on the council agenda. For any matter on which the council will take a vote there will still be a period of public comment before each agenda item. Morse's worries are unfounded.
The matter of convenience still remains. Accommodating speakers from the floor later in the evening is more convenient for some. It was more convenient for others at the beginning of the meeting. Some Solomonic wisdom might have council return to a previous practice of short periods of speakers at the beginning and at the end of meetings.
I'm glad you highlighted this issue. There seems to be a lot mis-information regarding how this change will affect council meetings.
ReplyDeleteThis is the 3rd LTE that N&R has published recently that is so ill-informed and misleading, I have to wonder if the writers of these letters are purposefully spreading misinformation about the mayor's decision.
I've noticed that a significant portion of opposition to our new mayor's ideas is coming from supporters of the former mayor, demonstrating an unwillingness on their part to be open minded when it comes to accepting ideas from others. I think Yvonne Johnson would be disappointed.
--Brandon Burgess
Roch, you beat me to it. I had just signed on to make the very point that you state here, and to back it up with Brandon's message.
ReplyDeleteThe N&R's subliminal attacks on the mayor are not so subliminal. And don't expect that to change. Why let facts get in the way?