What Do You Think?

Since I regularly attend City Commission meetings and have been for the last three years, I have seen first hand what happens when folks disagree with what the city suggests.

They are ignored. Even if folks just question what is being proposed, they are more often than not treated like the enemy. There is no excuse for this.

I am not running because I think I have all the answers to our problems. Absolutely, I do not. In fact, nobody does, but I do believe that by working together, we can find the right solutions to what ails us. I don't have an agenda other than to open up our government and let the sun shine in!

As I mentioned here, I think the most important issue to face our city has been our relationship with SME. Maybe you agree, maybe not.

Now is your chance to tell me what you think.

Maybe only one issue I've listed below is of concern to you or maybe all of them. If you have several, try to list them in order of importance to you. It would be very helpful if you would also tell me why you feel the way you do.

Even if I mentioned something you are not familiar with, tell me that too.

Some of the issues:

* City not practicing OTAG (Open, Transparent, Accountable Government)

* City's involvement with SME

* City's decision to go with public power (ECP)

* City's proposed 2010 budget

* City/County relationship

* Water rights

* Public safety levy

* Animal shelter

* Malmstrom AFB

* Downtown revitalization/parking meters

* Economic development; industrial parks

* Parks, Recreation (golf, swimming pools)

* Other

(Please read this, if you wish to comment).

Relationship With SME

In my opinion, the greatest issue to divide our city in quite a long time has been the city's involvement with SME.

Regardless of where you stand on the coal plant/gasification plant and ECP, every citizen should be very concerned that we were never allowed a vote on issues that have cost our city millions of dollars. And it's not over.

I'm not in favor of public and private entities going into business together. The rules for each are different. Private businesses (like mine) do not have to divulge their business dealings to the public, but government does. And it is not supposed to be an option as our city has so very well demonstrated.

(Please read this, if you wish to comment).

My Candidacy For Mayor

I read the following statement at the mayoral forum that was hosted by Neighborhood Council 3 on June 4:

As a citizen involved in local government for the past four years, I have become increasingly concerned about the lack of openness, transparency and accountability within our local government. OTAG is our constitutional right; not an option to be exercised at the whim of our leaders.

According to our city's organizational chart, the citizens are to come first. For the past several years, it's been the exact opposite. Citizens have been increasingly denied their right to speak at public meetings, get answers to their questions and obtain public documents.

It is time to put citizens back in charge of their government.

After reading that statement, I next suggested ways in which I would implement OTAG:

1. Meeting room for the Commission - If elected, I would suggest that citizens be giving access to their elected officials by having an office for the Commission at the Civic Center. Because this is not a full time position, Commissioners would have to determine what time they could be available during the week, if at all.

2. Rescind the five minute speaking ordinance - If elected, I would suggest doing away with the five minute time limit at public comment time at the City Commission meetings. This would not mean that citizens could talk without abandon. The mayor has the right to ask citizens to limit their comments to a reasonable amount of time.

3. Getting answers to questions - When citizens ask city related questions at City Commission meetings, they have a right to an answer. If elected, I would not circle the wagons around staff. They are public servants who work for the citizens, not the other way around. If a question could not be answered right away, because it might require additional research for example, then that question would be on the next meeting's agenda under "old business". Under my leadership, citizens would also not be told they have to put their questions in writing.

4. The right to public documents - The public has a right to ask for and obtain copies of public documents without being given the runaround. Citizens have the right to know and question what their government is doing.

(Please read this, if you wish to comment).

Play the Puzzle

To learn a little bit more about me and my platform, play the puzzle.

Comment Moderation

I very much appreciate and encourage comments on this blog. If you are regular reader of Cataract City, you know that I have allowed comments that have not been complimentary of me to remain posted.

That will not be the case here. Even though I am running for public office, I do not have to tolerate anonymous hits against me on a blog designed to inform you about my candidacy. I would consider allowing the comment if you identified yourself, except I have no way of proving the accuracy of who you are. If you would like to engage in a dialogue critical of my proposals, please email me so that we can establish your identity ahead of time.

For these reasons, I will be using comment moderation, so don't panic if your comment isn't posted right away.

Thanks for your understanding.