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35 comments:
I applaud Ellen for her organization skills and efforts. Calling it a script vs. list or agenda is the problem here. These adults are not programmed robots and can say what they want to say. I think the problem here is not the topic. Young fresh female motivated ideas vs. old timers who wish they had only thought of it themselves. Besides, if they were feeling excluded from the "script" there must have been a reason. I guess the question also is who went to the press with this and the e-mails to begin with?
Nice article Steve, but I am not sure what the point is or why the two Arts are in an uproar. "Her scripting days are over?" Hmmm, the mayor makes her in charge of the ordnance meeting, she runs it, the downtown group gets approved, and now the repub chairman has a problem with it? Art ward is mad? This is the problem with that Counci - they can't get out of their own way.
This raises questions. Why do councilmembers and the mayor need a script? Are they incapable of speaking their thoughts on their own? Is having an Agenda at these meetings not enough organization for them? If she doesn't think there is anything wrong with scripts why was she concerned over a "leak"? Why did the Mayor and Council allow her to speak for them and direct them like children in a play? How many other meetings were scripted? What has this done to open government and honesty with the taxpayers? I'm disappointed in anyone that knew about this and agreed to go along with it. City leaders allowing one person to dictate situations is the start of a very bad problem.
After reading the script(s) for the two meetings posted on this blog site I don't have a problem with it. This shows our councilor going the extra mile and reviewing concerns of her peers to make sure they get addressed. In meetings such as these one may easily forget concerns they raised at previous meetings, this kept the meeting flowing and brought forth previous concerns. It also allowed for spontaneous questions by councilors to be raised and addressed that grew during the scripted meeting.
My only concern though, and is big, the insistence of keeping the script secret and excluding councilors from the script. I'd like to see this concern addressed by EAZ further.
Overall it doesn't impact my support for EAZ in her coming campaigns.
N.
It's really sad that the city of Bristol has stooped this low. Who is running the city Zoppo or Stortz. It goes to show that not even the Mayor can think for himself. And you also have to think if Zoppo is elected Mayor she will also impose her views and words on everyone then too. These are supposed to be grown people who were elected because they had different opinions and ideas not something scripted out by one person who has always thought she ruled the city.
Peter,
Its nice to see the "anonymous" postings in support of this shameful game plan. Wonder who annonymous is? Anyhow, the fact that our elected officals have to have a script certainly explains why votes are stacked. The fact that Zoppo keeps Ward out of the loop explains her campaign plan to run for Mayor. This whole matter of "scripts" is very deceitful.
To answer one question that an anonymous person asked here: Nobody "went to the press with this."
I found the email from Ellen Zoppo to the mayor in a large pile of emails that I got from a Freedom of Information request that was not looking for anything specific. I just wanted to see what kinds of things passed between the mayor and the council.
This happened to be one of them.
Steve, thanks for keeping this comment section clean. I think the biggest issue is the use of the word script. If its an itenerary, agenda, list of issues, or whatever, who cares about how they get it done as long as the meetings are orderly and the information is transparent. I like Ellen, and frankly I like Bill but I think he is in over his head. What I don't like are people like Art ward and the other Art who have nothing to say for themselves, so they throw stones at her and others. If she doesn't organize the meeting, who will? These other guys? Yeah right.
Sounds like much ado about nothing. EAZ is a very intelligent, articulate woman with strong organizational skills, something every council/group/organization/etc. needs. As I read the article, it sounds more like the "script" was an outline or agenda. If anything, this increases my support for EAZ.
What bothers me is not so much the "scripts" - though they do seem a touch arrogant - as the little asides to the mayor to practice his speech in the mirror, and to make sure Rimcoski doesn't let Ward see the script, and to ensure the scripts are picked up at the end so there are "no leaks." Now if there was nothing wrong with them, why would Zoppo worry about people seeing them?
I want to add one more thing. This was a very good story. I heard about it early this morning and I thought it would be something unfair and incomplete. I found something entirely different and I thank you for it. I was particularly glad to see the Press using the web to let people read the documents for themselves. That shows a commitment to fairness and completeness that should be the norm now. I hope this new way of presenting information continues.
Program, agenda, script, list...all these are tools for an organized way to run an orderly and time efficient meeting.
Not everyone has the skills to use these tools to conduct a meeting which will assure that topics are discussed in a logical order and that every committee member has an opportunity to state or re-state his/her views, comments or questions before a final vote is taken.
Ellen should be commended, not criticized, for preparing for the meeting in a more than adequate fashion
this is good practice for ellen for when she becomes mayor.......
she will straighten out this mess in city hall !!!!!!
Jane A.
These were not agendas or organized, these were what Zoppo herself called scripts. They are fill in lines for the council members to read. Zoppo has always felt she was running the city and that she is smarter then everyone else. Its a shame however she distorts to sarcasism, deceit, (collect the scripits for no leaks) and excludes certain councilmembers. Whatever happend to democracy? All those that have posted in favor of what Ms. Zoppo did is unthinkable. How many other things is she hiding? So much for open govt.
have questions for the script writer - Why minus Art out of this script(s)? What was your hidden agenda?
Why collec the scripts, if they are just agendas? Why would you be afraid of leaks?
If the council was suppose to be unified why would you omit your own party person (Ward)?
Do you really think members of the council cannot speak without your script?
Where are the emails from the council members that responded to your script?
Please enlighten all of us.
Orgainzed = Controlled. One poster said articulate & intelligent, which to many was a way of saying scheming & deceitful. Anyone can be book smart, but being arrogant with a touch of snobbery (practice in the mirror, has nothing to do with being smart.
How can one run for Mayor with this mentality that its okay to write scripts?
Does anyone on that council have a backbone?
To me, this is another example of Ellen Zoppo being pushy and arrogant. If there was a need for an agenda, it should have been completed by the facilitator of the meeting. Talking points for individuals should not have been identified, and telling the man we elected Mayor to practice his talking points in front of the mirror? Specifically excluding individuals? Who does she think she is? I find the whole city government situation in Bristol pretty embarrassing, and this is a fine example of why. Why does Ellen always need to be in control? Why cant an agenda be provided (which should ALWAYS be done) and allow the Council memebers be big boys and girls and pick their own talking points? Since Ellen came aboard, I feel like Bristol is almost clamping down on everything, and not a very free and open place. How about taking care of the mall folks??
I want to warn those leaving comments, once again, that you should err on the side of civility. I've had to delete a handful of comments already for being too vicious. Search for ways to say the same thing without using harsh words.
I don't like to censor people, but this is NOT an open forum. The only things that get posted are those I think are reasonable enough to contribute to a discussion.
You have got to be kidding, nothing like shooting yourself in the foot Ellen. Why all the secrets? Why be so deceitful? I guess she really did mean to send Ewens email of support to Art Ward. Do we really want a sneaky politician as our Mayor? What does this teach the youngsters? With all this controversy happening prior to the primary, we can only imagine what her term as Mayor will be like if she would win. This is crazy. Let people think for themselves. The Mayor is a big boy and shouldn't be told to look in the mirror and practice. Let Ellen use her organizational skills somewhere else. I was thinking of voting for her but now, GO FOR WARD It seems as a couple the previous posters were the supportive script readers. Us normal city residents can figure these things out on our own without scrips.
Okay, here goes.... Why the secrets? If Ellen is to get into the top spot, what is going to happen then? This is a City and one that I have lived in my whole life, and not a Theater. I understand the need for organization but this extent is just deceitful. If there was nothing to hide, why the worry of a leak? Shame on all the other politicians that went along with this mess. Congratulations to Art Ward and Mike for staying out of it.
I wonder if members of the Dem. Town Committee were given scripts for the endorsement come July.
What other underhanded things is Zoppo doing to get into the Mayor seat? This comfirms my vote for Ward too!
To the posters who call Ellen scheming, deceitful, pushy and arrogant, I have one question, and please answer truthfully. Would you say these things if Ellen was a man? Men are usually considered strong and good leaders when they have the same qualities Ellen possesses. I am thrilled to see a smart woman with a strong will. You've got my vote, Ellen!
I will answer your question - Zoppo's script writing has nothing to do with gender. It was wrong and it was deceitful. If you really look at it, bascially is informing the men that they are idiots, without her script. This has NOTHING to do with being a strong woman, it has hwever everything to do with being controlling & manipulative. I am a woman in a leadership position and I do consider myself a strong woman and a good role model. What is wrong is wrong, regardless of ones gender. Effective communication is open communication with all parties involved. I do believe she excluded her own party member on this script. If this were a man playing this game it would still be wrong. My big question is why these men on the council allowed themselves to be "scripted." Being strong does not mean one has to be arrogant, as Zoppo has demonstrated several times over the years. Using your gender to get ahead should not be used as an excuse, its a weakness. If Ms. Zoppo is so smart she should haved discovered this a long time ago. Maybe she should try working in the corporate world for a few years before she starts acting the expert on well orgainized and being effective.
I personally do not have a problem with a "script" being prepared or passed out. It is a perfect example; as others have said of trying to ensure that ideas and thoughts get put forth in an orderly fashion and are not forgotten or left out.
I have not read in any of the information presented, any sort of veiled threats if someone varied from the "script". Each individual Councilperson involved had the ability to voice any concerns or opinions as they saw fit, adlibbing if you will.
I do believe that this set of e-mail correspondence and the development of a "script" shows some hard work at trying to get this downtown issue through the council.
I can't comment on why the need to keep things from all of the Councilors or the need collect the "scripts", but as another writer said, that would be up to Ellen to explain.
I would question one thing of all of us involved in this blog….
Why the need to be anonymous? Are you stating something that you would be embarrassed if people knew who you were? Stand behind your statements, put your name with your comments and don't hide behind the anonymity of the internet. That might be something for all of us to think about.
Sincerely;
Bob Boudreau
Thanks, Bob, for putting your name to your comments.
I do think that signed comments are worth a whole lot more than anonymous ones. I understand why some people don't use their names, but most of us can do it without paying a price.
Your words have a lot more force if you are willing to use your name.
Just a reason as to why some may not be able to post a name - if they are using a work computer, majority of work computers will not allow one to sign an account with a user name.
Just becasue a person does not post their name should not discredit what they have to say, good or bad.
Mike -
You can sign your name directly into your statements and still choose an "anonymous" identity on the blog service.
This would take care of any issues people might face while using work computers.
Please note how I did it for this comment.
I don't recall anyone saying an anonymous posting "discredits" a comment or an opinion.
Steve Collins stated that "Your words have a lot more force if you are willing to use your name."
I issued a challenge to people to "Stand behind your statements, put your name with your comments and don't hide behind the anonymity of the internet."
Sincerely;
Bob Boudreau
This sort of thing is nothing new. When Couture/Kosta and their Deputy Art Ward were running things, everything was coordinated/scripted according to plan, with a design to exclude the public from having any input on planning and decisions. Anyone remember those early farces for meetings when they introduced the Downtown Plan? It was all about controlling the decision making process and keeping the public and opponents out of the loop. Art Ward's hands are dirty, and it is hypocritical for him to now cry foul for something much less blatant than what Ward and the Couture/Kosta crew were doing.
What some see as "organizational skills" other see as deceit - and I agree, why worry of a leak? Why have the mayor applaud bi-partisanship if Ward was intentionally left out of the loop. She excluded him so she could have control of the situation. To keep one (basically two in this case) council member out of the loop is not working together as a team but her running the show as usual. Bristol must just be lazy because everyone just seems to let her do it.
So one poster says, "Why does Ellen always have to be in charge?" Duh - because she chairs major committees and moves things through. The mayor practically handed off the downtown thing to her by running it through Ordinance and she chairs it and gets it done. Hey, loove her or hate her, she sticks by and gets things done. Does anyone remember how Art stopped going to downtown meetings two years ago when things got hot and he was on the committee? There's some leadership skills and loyalty.
NIXON TAPES=Ellen's Secret Politics, Revealed.
Particularly disturbing are numbers 4 & 5 of her email to the mayor.
A mayoral candidate on a platform of open government advocating secrecy from fellow council members. Isn't this an indicator that the opposite of what is represented, is likely to happen?
I do not see anything wrong. The term script is incorrect. As a woman who has served over 20 years on various boards this incident is called, Doing your homework! I have always entered meetings with a list of points to be made, concerns on a specific topic, and motions for and against every agenda item with the legal reasons to back up my motions. I have shared my motions, my notes, and my questions with fellow board members to be helpful and to move the process along. Ellen has done nothing wrong. She is just another intelligent woman who is well prepared for meetings, she does her homework.
Its evident that Bob (Boudreau) that you would post your name because you are a big supporter of Zoppo's, and the Federal Hill Assoc. stuff. Most who do support her would feel this way. Try looking with an open mind & clear view point - I think it was wrong. What is real scary is that the rest of the council for the last year and a half have been sitting there reading scripts.
George C.
Lets not split hairs here OK? You my not prefer the word "script" to describe what EZ submitted to Mayor and council, but it most certainly was not an agenda. A script, or plan, or whatever you want to call it that pre-determines the outcome of a public meeting before it starts has no resemblance to representative government. Council members actions should reflect as closely as possible the will of the district that elected them, not the other way around. This of course requires that the elected official expend the lions share of their energy communicating in an open honest and direct fashion with their constituents. Call me old fashioned, but there it is. :)
This is getting off subject but a few have posted in regard to not using their name as is evident I am not.
One word, RETRIBUTION!
We've all seen what happens when you are in a public venue and someone doesn't like what you say. Many a politician including our poor mayor have been attacked not only verbally but personally. Unfortunately with politics what it is in this town and for that matter the state and federal government as well you have to be careful how and when you expose yourself as someone will be waiting to take you down and don't think it's just disgruntled townsfolk or individuals at play. The wrong thing said can put you under the microscope and have the authorities keeping an eye on you for the least little thing. Call me paranoid or what you will but ask someone who's been through it...
Anyone notice certain people of political interests have disappeared from the public eye or have quieted down?
Another thing that needs to be changed in our politics...
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