December 12, 2007

It's 7 a.m., why aren't you at the Industrial Committee meeting?

Well, it's certainly not dark at 7 a.m.
But, then again, it's not light either.
The streetlights are still on and it's a bit murky.
In any case, it's no time for a municipal meeting like this morning's Industrial Committee on-site session at the new industrial park beside the former Superior Electric.
You can't shine a light on government in the murk before sunrise.

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Copyright 2007. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

City government does not operate at your convenience Steve, but on the convenience of the staff and volunteer board members who have other jobs. Or, did you consider the time was chosen so reporters did NOT attend, so they didn't have to info share on the screw ups?

Steve Collins said...

Public meetings should be held for the convenience of -- get ready to be shocked! -- the public. Board members and city officials have an obligation to the public, even if that means picking a time that is less convenient for them.

Anonymous said...

They were there - maybe you were in the wrong location?

Steve Collins said...

I was in the right location -- home!
The committee, on the other hand, was walking around in the dark.

Anonymous said...

It depends on the purpose of the meeting. Meetings where policy decisions are going to be made should accommodate the public. Meetings like site inspections for the citizen oversight committee should accommodate the committee.

Anonymous said...

Good point Steve. I'm afraid this administration will be one of the worst "old boy" and pro-political-hack ones ever.

Anonymous said...

Art Ward has only one public and that is the guys on the stools. As long as they are happy he will get elected and no one will realize how much hapens in the dark.

Anonymous said...

Accomidating the public is important when you are a candidate not when you actually become mayor.

Anonymous said...

This was a site inspection and update meeting and yes it was scheduled for the convenience of the volunteer board members and other who have jobs.

What time would you have suggested to accomodate the public since they also have jobs?

Steve Collins said...

No matter when a meeting is held, some can't make it. But for onsites? Follow the longstanding tradition of land use boards and do it on Saturday mornings. I think they begin at 9 a.m.

Anonymous said...

Why do some of you assume this was scheduled by the Mayor? He's not even on the Industrial Committee but of course has interest in the Industrial Park so of course he would attend. Perhaps you should spend as much time gathering FACTS as you do criticizing before you open your mouths. And I'm far from being a "good ol' boy."

Anonymous said...

This is the time that many people in the construction business have already logged time on the job! I appreciate the early time because it allows others of us who have to be to work a little later the chance to attend a meeting we would never be able to attend during the day because we have to be at work too. Since many people don't return home from work until 5:30 or later they wouldn't be able to see anything.