On Monday night, I was trying to advise someone on his chances to speak at the City Council meeting. I thought there were two opportunities, one before council deliberations restricted to resolutions and motions and a general comment period at the end. I could only find the latter on the printed agenda, but thanks to Dan I now know I didn't imagine two public comment segments, one has been removed.
The conduct of council meetings is guided by a document developed in 2006 by then-Council President Ray Blanco. From a 2006 Plaintalker post: "The 28-page document covers council organization, meetings, role of the council president, handling of legislation, decorum, and many other aspects of council activity."
It has been approved each year since, but seldom with any public discussion of changes, which is why I missed the deletion of the first public comment period. I will have to review the document for other changes and if possible, locate the original in my vastpile of paper files.
Probably only the most dedicated council watchers know or care about these rules. Dottie Gutenkauf studied them and gave a critique when they first came out. On some flash drive or another I have that document.
I did look in the Rules Monday for 2013 committee assignments and liaisons to various city entities, which I copied down. I will post them at another time. Over 2012, the committee system faded a bit and chairs often answered, "No report at this time." I wondered why or whether the system would continue in 2013, but it is there at least on paper.
It has been many years since there was a parliamentarian on board at council meetings. Perhaps a higher consciousness of Robert's Rules of Order would help the council stay on track.
If this post is rambling, I offer the excuse that I was sick all day with a bad stomach ache and only felt better when I got up at 1:30 a.m. These stomach aches appear to be stress-related, so I will be trying to calm down in time for the next council meeting on Tuesday. I hope these meetings are being broadcast on the local channels so those who do not attend can see for themselves how their elected officials comport themselves.
--Bernice
The conduct of council meetings is guided by a document developed in 2006 by then-Council President Ray Blanco. From a 2006 Plaintalker post: "The 28-page document covers council organization, meetings, role of the council president, handling of legislation, decorum, and many other aspects of council activity."
It has been approved each year since, but seldom with any public discussion of changes, which is why I missed the deletion of the first public comment period. I will have to review the document for other changes and if possible, locate the original in my vast
Probably only the most dedicated council watchers know or care about these rules. Dottie Gutenkauf studied them and gave a critique when they first came out. On some flash drive or another I have that document.
I did look in the Rules Monday for 2013 committee assignments and liaisons to various city entities, which I copied down. I will post them at another time. Over 2012, the committee system faded a bit and chairs often answered, "No report at this time." I wondered why or whether the system would continue in 2013, but it is there at least on paper.
It has been many years since there was a parliamentarian on board at council meetings. Perhaps a higher consciousness of Robert's Rules of Order would help the council stay on track.
If this post is rambling, I offer the excuse that I was sick all day with a bad stomach ache and only felt better when I got up at 1:30 a.m. These stomach aches appear to be stress-related, so I will be trying to calm down in time for the next council meeting on Tuesday. I hope these meetings are being broadcast on the local channels so those who do not attend can see for themselves how their elected officials comport themselves.
--Bernice
Bernice:
ReplyDeleteCalm down, stressing over the city's behavior is not worth it.
As for the documents, don't stress out on finding them, they are a public document and can either be OPRAed or simply requested to the city's Clerk Office.
The Rules of Order, believe it or not, were adopted by the city back in the late 1800's! And while the system has changed from what was to what it is today, the rules of back then are quite interesting. The library's History Room has the old form if you, or anyone, are interested.
The broadcasting of the meetings at the local TV channel seems to still be outdated when it comes to city meetings. But this shouldn't stop any intrepid council avid observer from taping the meetings, via Iphone or any other palm recorder; posting the meetings on YouTube and FaceBook could go a long way.
People can also learn to accept the change of power and its ramifications. Not an easy task but a healing one, besides, the sooner people stop fighting over who has the power and how power is being used the sooner issues will be the focus of attention and not who runs the show. Once the focus shifts to the issues people could be surprised about how many resources are out there to help address issues. If an issue is really an issue then it will get the attention it deserves by outside agencies, it takes time but it happens.
So, Bernice, don't stress out. We do not need you to get sick over city matters. Take a break and let someone else cover the council meetings. Trust me, a break will do you good.
Bernice, Let me know when they come out on DVD. My doctor told me to cut down on the stress also and then I may at least pause once in awhile. Now off to work so I may pay my taxe$.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Maria that "stressing over the City's behaviour may not be worth it" (I tell that to myself continually), and though we may have to accept the change of power, I disagree that we should also accept its ramifications or how the power is being used. Healing sometimes requires strong medicine, or in the case of cancer, surgery. Only then can you get to therapy and rehabilitation.
ReplyDeleteBernice, there has been no one appointed to the position LaMar used to (USED TO) have. I believe his contract ran out, and as usual, the incompentency of the administration has done nothing to renew his contract. So, we have DVDs, but no one to air them.
ReplyDeleteI have a feeling that that might change since the mayor is running and appearing at the council meetings. Any bets that she will hire someone to replace LaMar (requirement - put my face all over the channel)and all of a sudden be visible on access TV? Smart people will say "NO BET".
Bernice, take the Council meetings as a way of life;no need to become upset over the way thye run. For over 20 years I have found them to be predictable when it comes to a vote. Principles are unfortunately only words; only occasionally convictions.Just continue to report on the misadventures of OZ; that is a public service.
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting how everyone here is talking about power, and more pointedly, the power of the council president. There is power there, but if this president isn't careful and consistently spends her time defending the mayor, as she did on Monday, then she may find herself explaining a lot to her constituents who don't back the mayor. I think Robert's Rules should be required reading for anyone who aspires to be council president. Don't stress, Bernice. We all may be stressing less when a more capable person is in city hall.
ReplyDeleteThe New Democrats did nothing last year to move Plainfield in the right direction. Sit back and look at last year NOTHING. KUDOS to Aniie Mcwilliams at least you were honest. I will never support Councilmen Mapp for the Mayor of this City.
ReplyDeleteTo 12:34 - I hope that does not mean that you will vote for the mayor. Whatever your feelings about Mapp, at least he did not spend your money illegally(WBLS), make the council spend your money on laywer fees when she sued them, and now she wants you to pay for her lawyer that she choose to hire. Quite frankly, if it wasn't for Mapp, your taxes or rent would be about 50% more because of the mayor's inability to know what a budget is.
ReplyDeleteAnon 12:45 The New Democrats un the leadership of Council President Mapp paid their lawyer friend over $100,000.00 dollars. i will never support Mapp or Robinson-Briggs for Mayor. Please someone else step up. Jim McGreavey tou live in Plainfield please step up and turn Plainfield around.
ReplyDeleteThis crap is to negative I'm not even coming out to VOTE this year in Plainfield. i will VOTE in November for a Democractic Governor and that's it. Heck Im staying home in JUNE.
ReplyDeleteI will take a republican mayor anytime here in the City of plainfield. We are just entering in 2013 and you have Councilmen Mapp writer Dan damon already being extremly negative. Come on guys let's talk about real issues here. Governor Christy do you know anyone that lives in Plainfield that we good old fashion democrats can get behind for the Mayor of this great City. Yhe 2 canidates that are running are just turning people completely off. Come on Plainfield let's rally for a good republican for Mayor. If you really love and care about Plainfield don't VOTE the PARTY Vote for change.
ReplyDeleteGreg Williams
Anon: 2:24PM - you are absolutely correct, this is negative, but you must consider the source from where this negativity stems and those who are responsible for producing it.
ReplyDeleteMany residents, like yourself, are sick and tired of the negativity and the non-sense that brews among the leadership of this city.
Whatever personal complaints you may have about Adrian Mapp, he always conducts himself in a professional manner becoming of a leader, is mindful of his constituents, and has worked tirelessly to bring all of Plainfield together.
I hope you'll re-consider voting in June and in November when it comes to local leaders. We need you.
Heck no ism voting republican. Time to mixed things up around here. Am tired of this corrupted one party rule
DeleteTo 9:56am - I could not agree with you more. Really are there no closet Republicans in Plainfield. I heard that many turned to being a Democrat because they felt they had no choice.
ReplyDeleteIf there is a strong Republican leader, my guess is that you would be surprised how many would vote for Republican for CITY government.
It is a joke that we have partisan politics for the city anyway.
To 2:23pm So I guess you won't mind that Rivers, Greaves, Brown, and Reid will vote for another 20K to pay for the mayor's lawyer.
ReplyDeleteYou know the mayor's lawyer - the one we have to pay for because she sued the council, because she wouldn't even attempt to sit and talk to the council about her misspending - which the law said she did.
But I am really with you. VOTE FOR CHANGE!! Maybe you should run.