Back on March 15, 2011, the City Commission amended the Rules and Procedures to add "Rules of Decorum for Citizen Participation." It had gotten to the point that some citizens, organized by a few in the neighborhood associations and easily influenced by their political agenda, had become unruly. We all thought that by passing this Resolution that behavior in the Chamber would get better.
During election time we have to endure some candidates who feel that making some stupid political statement is in their best interests. We usually tune it out if they are respectful. However, Lisa Maxwell spoke last night and said 1) that this commission wanted to close the library and 2) that library hours were being shortened. Neither of her statements were correct--she mis-spoke again, but Lisa did what she does best. Any candidate running for office should know the facts. Lisa does not and is unwilling to learn. Last night, those married to the little organized herd, bent on political destruction, tossed out the City's Resolution No 04-2011 and played by their own rules. Here are a few of the rules that they broke:
Rule #4 states that citizens must speak only to the matter for which they signed up. This was abused over and over again last night by the herd that was hell bent on sounding off with political sound bites, lies and personal attacks turning the subject around to what they wanted to sound off about.
Rule #7 states that speakers will conduct themselves in a civil and respectful manner at all times.
Rule #15 states speakers will refrain from making comments of a personal nature regarding others.
Rule #16 states that name calling is forbidden.
Rule #19 states that the audience should refrain from private conversation during the meeting.
Rule #21 states that no campaign placards, banners, or signs will be permitted in the city council chambers.
Can we please have some order in the Chamber and get back to civil, respectful and courteous discourse and behavior? That is what this Civility Resolution was all about--it passed on a 4/0 vote. Coincidentally, both Maxwells were absent that night.
Please expand upon your comment in the first paragraph stating that "It had gotten to the point that some citizens, organized by a few in the neighborhood associations and easily influenced by their political agenda, had become unruly."
ReplyDeleteWhat situation are referring to specifically?
Let's just say, Ryan, it is the same people who were so rudely vocal on the PBSO contract. Now the very same people are doing it again with the Fire Contract. They need to step back a bit and let the City do what is needed to negotiate instead of their constant interference. They can sit around and take credit for "saving" PBSO if they choose but it was this city manager that did it. All their rants in the world did not save PBSO no matter how they want to insult 3 commissioners on the Dais who actually knew what was going on. Who knows, if there hadn't been so much turmoil stirred up by this group, we might have gotten even more of a savings. But we'll never know and they just keep running their mouth. They just need something else to complain about. Next week it will be something else.
ReplyDeleteI'm wondering why you decided to drag neighborhood associations into the mix. LW Neighborhood Associations had nothing to do with starting, funding or organizing the Keep PBSO movement.
ReplyDeleteNo dragging--they are people in neighborhood associations. You know, political people.
ReplyDeleteThat is correct, Lynn. Many times people that are involved with and lead Neighborhood Associations are people who are interested in things related to government and the conduct of government. These interests by definition makes us political people I guess. It's what makes you political as well.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ryan. It's not exactly what I am talking about with the NA's but close.
ReplyDeleteYou betcha, I am political. I am in two political action committees. One, Save Our Neighborhood--our issue has been going on for way too long with the Sunset property. At least we were able to keep that neighborhood Single Family to this point. The other is Citizens Come First where we won 2 out of our 3 issues that we backed.
The differences with me vs. them is 1) I don't belong to a NA Assn and 2) I am never rude at City Hall even when during the times when there were people on the dais whose votes really hurt the city.
"I am never rude..." Oh really. So your nasty looks in Commission meetings at people that don't agree with you aren't rude? So taking pictures of people when you have been specifically asked not to do so isn't rude? So posting pictures of attendees at Commission meetings and workshops with deragatory labels isn't rude?
ReplyDeleteMr. Lepa, I presume? At least one thing I can say for you, you have been respectful at the microphone when speaking. Way to go, Mr. Lepa.
ReplyDeleteGrasping at straws I see Mr. Anony at midnight. Get more sleep.
ReplyDelete