City Council Meeting Audio 3/28/07

This is one of the rare instances that we cover both the City Council Conference Meeting and the regular meeting. The conference session was important because the citizen group opposing the Riverwalk project were given 20 minutes to present their research and issues on and with the project.

The presentation was excellent. Dennis Lieb presented a concise Power Point lecture that addressed the group’s largest issues with the project (we hope to have a copy to post soon).

It really disturbed me and struck me as odd that not one question was asked by Council or the Mayor. But the mayor was quoted rebutting the presentation as “not 100 percent correct.” (Express-Times and The Morning Call)

The regular meeting the following day (March 28, 2007) lasted two and a half hours. The first 40 minutes was citizen comments. Every comment was against the Riverwalk project. Three other major issues were brought up at the meeting; billing problems in the Treasurer’s office, retention of county workers within city limits, and police understaffing.

Audio:
Riverwalk Presentation (20 minutes 2.8Mb)
Conference Meeting (1 hour 5 minutes 7.5Mb)
Regular Meeting (2 hours 29 minutes 17.1Mb)

Documents:
Agenda
Minutes (when available)
Riverwalk Presentation Power Point

REPOST: From Joe Owens' Blog

I posted a comment in reply to Joe's assessment of our project on his blog. I think he sold us short. But, this is an aquired taste. And we're layered... Like an onion.

Your neighbor

CANDLE, BUGLER AND WHISPERS IN THE DARK

Posted by JOSEPH P. OWENS/THE EXPRESS-TIMES March 27, 2007 18:34PM
Categories: Government

'The bugler stands guard at 'Easton Undressed'I'm hoping to attract the attention of my friends over at Easton Undressed or anyone who is interested in Easton.

The topic of Easton's Peace Candle came up today, for about the 450th time. It was inspired by a mention in an op-ed column written by Carl Golden.

I have one simple question: Do you like the Peace Candle? Yes or no.

You can write more about your memories/experiences with it, but be sure to say if it should stay or go.

While on the topic of Easton Undressed, I want to make good on a promise to one of my buddies who is a regular contributor over there. He asked me to spend time looking at the Web site and give him my opinion on it. His request came after I lambasted anonymous voices on the Web.
Well, I spent time watching the site, and here is what I think.

Too much bellyaching. Too much jibber-jabber. Not enough forthright, objective discussion. Or identifiable, subjective discussion.

Take them one at a time.

* It strikes me as a place for city employees to moan and groan. It's OK to vent, but if you have a problem, why not offer a solution? Generally, it seems it's all about grumbling, which is interesting to a limited audience.

* I don't get the online chats. Is it for insiders only? Are we talking in code? Seems to be more like Instant Messenger stuff than content posted for interested readers.

* I cannot be convinced that the anonymous opinion has anything more than entertainment value. It's easy to go on and say "Phil Mitman's a goober" if you're not putting your name to it.
People take swipes at me, for good reason, but at least my name is on it. Some want to rationalize that certain city residents "can't" use their real names because they'll be targeted for retribution. I wonder if that's what they teach their children. "Don't stand up for something, because someone will only swat you down."

I do like the site's use of audio and commitment to public meetings. That's important.
So, there it is, my two cents on Easton Undressed. I can't wait for the lampoons that will be headed my way.

And in the interest of not just taking a cheap shot, I offer a suggestion. The best community blog I've seen hereabouts thus far has been NewsOverCoffee. The blogger takes extra effort not to make self-serving statements or outlandish remarks about others. He seeks and offers straightforward feedback.

Check it out. And don't forget the Peace Candle. Yes or No?