From My Bottom Step

The Last Gasp for Board of Control

Yesterday’s public participation meeting was a sad thing to watch.

City Hall Needs Communication Skills

If this is the best that our city can communicate information, then we’re in a whole lot of trouble.

Temporary Sound System for Council

It’s no secret to anybody who spends any time at City Hall that they have serious problems with transparency. One of those problems is the often inability of spectators in committee rooms and Council Chamber to hear what’s being said. That’s why I felt compelled to address the Governance Task Force about the issue, and I presume that it’s the reason that the GTF included it in those recommendations that have been proposed.

To it’s credit, the Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC) also waded in. (see 4th report clause #2)

At it’s 2008/06/09 meeting, City Council resolved:

That, in order to assist persons with hearing disabilities, microphones BE UTILIZED in the Council Chambers during Standing Committee or Advisory Committee meetings; it being noted that while future renovations of the Council Chambers may include the installation of a permanent sound system, a temporary portable system could be rented immediately for this use. Continue Reading

Cherry-picking Undermines GTF Cred

Prior to it’s last scheduled meeting, I submitted questions to the city’s Governance Task Force with respect to some of it’s recommendations. The inquiry was ignored. And since that time, my attempt to get answers has been rebuffed by Margaret Hoff (Chair) and Councillor Paul Hubert (Vice-Chair) who have suggested that I wait until Council gets around to holding a public participation meeting (perhaps not before March) prior to voting on the recommendations. Which will seriously restrict my opportunity to engage you in any meaningful discussion.

At the same time however, members of the task force have happily touted their recommendations and responded to questions from other media sources.

Do I make them uncomfortable? Could it be that I’m better informed about City Hall and they’re afraid of my questions? Are they afraid that maybe I won’t simply regurgitate any spin that might come out of their mouths without seeking better clarity? Continue Reading

Found Savings

What should our local government do with ‘found’ money? Run to the corner candy store and load up on sweets? Try to find out where it came from and give it back? Stick it in a pocket and save it for another day?
Patrick Maloney’s latest article (’City ponders what to do with $450K’; London Free Press; 2008/02/01) describes how $1.8-million appears to have been earmarked … Continue Reading