More Fun Than You'd Think
Admittedly, I'm a geek. A wonk. A nerd. I find government and politics utterly fascinating, if a bit exhausting when you come in direct contact with it.
But you don't have to be a wonk to "enjoy" the byplay and machinations that go on at New Albany City Council meetings. One wag says it's the most entertaining thing this side of HBO's "Deadwood."
In rapid succession, you can see flashes of policy or political genius followed by frightening displays of muddled thinking and the worst aspects of power politics.
It's encouraging to see the way citizens boldly step up to petition their council for or against a particular policy. Even when their presentations are confused (or confusing?), there's not a moment when you wish such presentations would just go away. Even when a particular speaker is teetering on the edge of libel, or deliberately misstating the facts, or shaking with rage, it is clear that the few people bold enough to confront or plead with the council take that right seriously.
I've made the case before that, under the law, council president Jeff Gahan is not obligated to divert council meeting time to allow oral presentations by citizens. It has been customary, and I think it is appropriate, but it is not required. The portion of each council meeting designated for "communications from the public" allows for the presentation of "petitions and remonstrances." It does not require council to give time for speeches and interrogations of council, non-germane political speeches, etc.
That Mr. Gahan and the council encourage speakers from the public is to be commended. Let's hope that discretion and allowance is not abused.
Council's duties include oversight and appropriation, not operations. Crime and code complaints should be directed to the police or to the Board of Public Works and Safety. A political issue, like proportional representation, equal protection, due process, and redistricting, would be appropriately directed to council.
But I digress.
It's a great show. Yes, you may find yourself disgusted. You may find yourself disappointed. You may become angry. You may become sad.
But you really should see the process and the personalities. And I guarantee that tonight's "show" will be the most entertaining in town. At least, it will have some of the best live performances you'll ever see.
If you have even the vaguest interest in how your government works, if you are yearning for proper codes enforcement, if you adore or detest the idea of downtown redevelopment by means of the Scribner Place project, join your fellow citizens on the government square tonight. A bunch of us will gather starting at 5 p.m. Council will hold a public hearing at 7:15 on pending appropriations. Then, at 7:30, the action begins.
The agenda is packed. There's the potential for anything to happen. It ought to be a great night.
But you don't have to be a wonk to "enjoy" the byplay and machinations that go on at New Albany City Council meetings. One wag says it's the most entertaining thing this side of HBO's "Deadwood."
In rapid succession, you can see flashes of policy or political genius followed by frightening displays of muddled thinking and the worst aspects of power politics.
It's encouraging to see the way citizens boldly step up to petition their council for or against a particular policy. Even when their presentations are confused (or confusing?), there's not a moment when you wish such presentations would just go away. Even when a particular speaker is teetering on the edge of libel, or deliberately misstating the facts, or shaking with rage, it is clear that the few people bold enough to confront or plead with the council take that right seriously.
I've made the case before that, under the law, council president Jeff Gahan is not obligated to divert council meeting time to allow oral presentations by citizens. It has been customary, and I think it is appropriate, but it is not required. The portion of each council meeting designated for "communications from the public" allows for the presentation of "petitions and remonstrances." It does not require council to give time for speeches and interrogations of council, non-germane political speeches, etc.
That Mr. Gahan and the council encourage speakers from the public is to be commended. Let's hope that discretion and allowance is not abused.
Council's duties include oversight and appropriation, not operations. Crime and code complaints should be directed to the police or to the Board of Public Works and Safety. A political issue, like proportional representation, equal protection, due process, and redistricting, would be appropriately directed to council.
But I digress.
It's a great show. Yes, you may find yourself disgusted. You may find yourself disappointed. You may become angry. You may become sad.
But you really should see the process and the personalities. And I guarantee that tonight's "show" will be the most entertaining in town. At least, it will have some of the best live performances you'll ever see.
If you have even the vaguest interest in how your government works, if you are yearning for proper codes enforcement, if you adore or detest the idea of downtown redevelopment by means of the Scribner Place project, join your fellow citizens on the government square tonight. A bunch of us will gather starting at 5 p.m. Council will hold a public hearing at 7:15 on pending appropriations. Then, at 7:30, the action begins.
The agenda is packed. There's the potential for anything to happen. It ought to be a great night.
posted by All4Word at 9:37 AM
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