Continuing Parlor Tricks
Continuing Parlor Tricks
The Herald’s utility as an organ for community information is sometimes sorely tested - especially when things get controversial or confusing. Of course, it’s not that they don’t want citizens
The Herald's utility as an organ for community information is sometimes sorely tested - especially when things get controversial or confusing. Of course, it's not that they don't want citizens showing up for political meetings. Or is it? Who knows?
We do know that there are hosts of relevant issues that never make the paper. For instance, who reports on the phony and likely corrupt zoning that gifted the Fairhaven Highlands property with such absurd, disastrous density? There has been nothing about the future public cost of replacing treatment capacity the Port will waste by building their yacht basin in the GP lagoon. It was all the same with saving Hoag's Pond from a corrupt conspiracy to gift a retiring Public Works official with a half a million dollars of extra value. Or the City trying to give away the farm during the G-P Water Rate Referendum, etc. Concerned citizens must continually shout futilely into the wind, rarely getting traction for their worries. We always hope the media will help with this, but are frequently disappointed.
All that is required of Government is to provide minimum notice and hold the meetings. Folks showing up just makes more work. I have written here before on jumping-bean schedules and moving targets. Citizens are always at a disadvantage in this dynamic and need the best possible information before they take time out of their busy schedules and sacrifice what they must to make any kind of contribution to the public process. Today is a case in point:
There is nothing in the Herald about today's complicated and out-of-the-ordinary City Council Schedule. And Sam Taylor's Political Blog mentions only that he is taking the morning off (Lucky Sam) so he can attend the evening session. He doesn't even mention that it is not a regular session. Of course, folks are creatures of habit and that's their problem. People following recent political events might expect to show up at seven to see the final action on the controversial UGA deliberations, but they will be disappointed. That will occur in a "Special Session" scheduled for three o'clock in the afternoon when most people need to be at work. Folks showing up at seven may also be disappointed to learn that there will be no opportunity for public comment - another departure from the norm.
Here is the schedule, which can be found from the link provided below. Please note that there are three agendas for today's Council schedule:
CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION AGENDA
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2008;
1:00 PM TO 3:00 PM
INFLOW AND INFILTRATION FOR SEWER SYSTEM WORKSESSION
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BELLINGHAM CITY COUNCIL
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2008; 3:00 PM
REVISION TO RESOLUTION 2008-003 SUPPORTING WHATCOM COUNTY’S PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE BELLINGHAM URBAN FRINGE SUBAREA PLAN
JOINT MEETING OF THE BELLINGHAM CITY COUNCIL AND THE LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES Monday, February 4, 2008, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
We do know that there are hosts of relevant issues that never make the paper. For instance, who reports on the phony and likely corrupt zoning that gifted the Fairhaven Highlands property with such absurd, disastrous density? There has been nothing about the future public cost of replacing treatment capacity the Port will waste by building their yacht basin in the GP lagoon. It was all the same with saving Hoag's Pond from a corrupt conspiracy to gift a retiring Public Works official with a half a million dollars of extra value. Or the City trying to give away the farm during the G-P Water Rate Referendum, etc. Concerned citizens must continually shout futilely into the wind, rarely getting traction for their worries. We always hope the media will help with this, but are frequently disappointed.
All that is required of Government is to provide minimum notice and hold the meetings. Folks showing up just makes more work. I have written here before on jumping-bean schedules and moving targets. Citizens are always at a disadvantage in this dynamic and need the best possible information before they take time out of their busy schedules and sacrifice what they must to make any kind of contribution to the public process. Today is a case in point:
There is nothing in the Herald about today's complicated and out-of-the-ordinary City Council Schedule. And Sam Taylor's Political Blog mentions only that he is taking the morning off (Lucky Sam) so he can attend the evening session. He doesn't even mention that it is not a regular session. Of course, folks are creatures of habit and that's their problem. People following recent political events might expect to show up at seven to see the final action on the controversial UGA deliberations, but they will be disappointed. That will occur in a "Special Session" scheduled for three o'clock in the afternoon when most people need to be at work. Folks showing up at seven may also be disappointed to learn that there will be no opportunity for public comment - another departure from the norm.
Here is the schedule, which can be found from the link provided below. Please note that there are three agendas for today's Council schedule:
CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION AGENDA
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2008;
1:00 PM TO 3:00 PM
INFLOW AND INFILTRATION FOR SEWER SYSTEM WORKSESSION
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BELLINGHAM CITY COUNCIL
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2008; 3:00 PM
REVISION TO RESOLUTION 2008-003 SUPPORTING WHATCOM COUNTY’S PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE BELLINGHAM URBAN FRINGE SUBAREA PLAN
JOINT MEETING OF THE BELLINGHAM CITY COUNCIL AND THE LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES Monday, February 4, 2008, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
