tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6911830315140428673.post8280765108799996261..comments2024-03-14T21:27:48.439-04:00Comments on Plaintalker II: Serve Your CityBernicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17728257853330372835noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6911830315140428673.post-29838697905429309302011-11-27T12:43:44.501-05:002011-11-27T12:43:44.501-05:00Just to add a note--I tried for several months to ...Just to add a note--I tried for several months to get a handle on PACHA--reaching out to current/former members/city administration, etc., to find out what was happening with this group and how I, as liaison, could assist. I was a big supporter of the formation of PACHA back when the previous administration set it up, and when I came on the council in January 2011, I specifically asked Council President McWilliams to appoint me as its liaison. Back then, I asked for the 2011 published meeting schedule, as well as the meeting minutes from the previous meetings. After a lot of back and forth, 3 meetings worth of minutes were sent to me by one of the members who said he had resigned. As far as I know, there was no published meeting schedule for this year, per OPMA. I met with the new head--we had a very good meeting--only to find out from her that more of the members had resigned. I suggested that she talk to the administration about publicizing the vacancies and set up some meetings, and said I would be happy to help in any way I can. I do not know what the administration's response was. It behooves the administration (who is surely aware of what is happening) to do something--as I told the PACHA Chair, I cannot call meetings or do anything that could be construed as running the organization. My role is similar to the role I play on the Shade Tree Commission, for which I also serve as liaison--I attend meetings (as my schedule permits), offer feedback, and follow up when requested. I have made myself available all year to PACHA, but I have not been given a schedule of meetings and I don't even know what the leadership structure is at this point. I have talked with Randy and other members of the community about this in the past--it is disheartening. Again, as I said, press releases, publicity on the city's website, and other outreach could help us get a larger group of residents to fill all the city's boards and commissions.<br /><br />RebeccaRebecca Williamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14151804728799343506noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6911830315140428673.post-41698579819777829412011-11-27T04:27:52.812-05:002011-11-27T04:27:52.812-05:00@Randy; My understanding is that council liaisons ...@Randy; My understanding is that council liaisons are to attend meetings of whatever entity they are assigned to and then report back to the council at large. From what I hear, Rebecca has asked for a schedule of meetings for PACHA and has had no response. It is not a council liaison's role to solve a group's problems or try to keep it afloat, if I may say so.Bernicehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17728257853330372835noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6911830315140428673.post-14947007306160752602011-11-26T23:57:33.703-05:002011-11-26T23:57:33.703-05:00Bernice --
I see that the Advisory Commission on...Bernice -- <br /><br />I see that the Advisory Commission on Hispanic Affairs is still listed. I had heard that all its members submitted their resignations a few months back. Rebecca Williams is indicated as Council liaison. Not a word of protest from the community. Not a word from the Council. Have we all become so jaded?<br /><br />Randy SchaefferRandy Schaefferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10239740695709075118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6911830315140428673.post-30615244122843042422011-11-26T11:13:01.715-05:002011-11-26T11:13:01.715-05:00I think AJ has done a good job in getting everythi...I think AJ has done a good job in getting everything posted on ClerkBase, per the 2005 Civic Responsibility Act. I would say, though, that it behooves the administration to publicize more widely the vacancies that exist--a simple press release at the end of this year would suffice, along with a prominent posting on the city's website home page--perhaps when the new site is launched, this could be done. <br /><br />As I noted about appointments at last Monday's meeting, the administration in a city of more than 50,000 residents should be able to cast a wider net to find residents to serve than to simply recycle (pardon the pun) former city councilmen, former business partners, and possible favored friends. I have nothing against the individuals nominated--I don't even know them (aside from having been introduced to Mr. Dunn and his wife at events on a few occasions). I simply feel that we owe it to the people of Plainfield to bring in fresh, new looks at the challenges facing the PMUA. It is not personal (except to the degree that residents express sincere concern about the cost of their utility and tax bills). I have no dog in this hunt. <br /><br />Rebecca<br /><br />We can't really do that if weRebecca Williamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14151804728799343506noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6911830315140428673.post-43575952793991266242011-11-26T09:51:26.477-05:002011-11-26T09:51:26.477-05:00AJ has posted all the Boards etc and members on th...AJ has posted all the Boards etc and members on the city site. How could you expect a Councilor who votes "present" on a roll call resolution vote to know what are the duties of the various boards and commissions? But then again I amnot sure if most of the Council kn ow or if the Administration knows or wants them to be active.olddochttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02467958592320642425noreply@blogger.com