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Reporter's Notebook: While you're
watching TV, I'm having fun at city council
By
Lukas Brinkerhoff
November 5, 2007 | Councilwoman Marcene Parker said,
"That's communism," and then proceeded to look directly
at me and follow her statement with, "Please don't quote
me on that." After which she repeatedly asked me if
I knew how to spell "communism."
That was when I realized that public meetings aren't
boring, especially not in Wellsville.
The gig follows a pattern that is respected as if
the gods themselves put it down on stone tablets before
the beginning of all city council meetings. Once the
council members and public have trickled in and it is
close to 6 p.m., the mayor greets everyone and announces
that the meeting will be opened by celebrating the opening
ceremony. At which time she asks a member of the council
to say the opening prayer.
The prayer tends to follow a set of unspoken guidelines
as well. Thank the almighty god for being able to live
in a free land, ask him to bless the meeting so policies
proper in his eyes can be passed and close in the name
of Christ, amen. Depending on the person reciting the
prayer, differing thanks and petitions are pronounced
as well. Now that god is officiating, everyone stands
and pledges allegiance to the symbol of our nation,
Old Glory.
The preceding two steps are standard and I am yet
to see any variation, what follows is the actual meeting.
Mayor Ruth P. Maughan plays referee in the sense that
she makes sure protocol is followed, motions are made
when needed and that everyone gets their say. The council
approves the agenda and the minutes from previous meetings,
plus they approve the payment of the bills that City
Manager Don Hartle has prepared for them. Up to this
point, only a matter of five or ten minutes has gone
by.
There is usually some public hearing that is held
at this point. Anything from business license requests
to zone changes are offered up so the public can voice
their concerns or approval. These hearings can last
a few minutes or, for disputed issues, more than an
hour. The council hears, answers and asks questions
but has not, since I've been attending, lost their temper
or refused to listen to anyone. They do, however, speak
candidly, ensuring that they are understood and that
they understand what the issue is.
The public tends to disappear when the public hearings
are over, leaving myself, the council and occasionally
a few more people who have business with the city. The
council members relax when the people disappear. It
is during this time that the amusement begins. The council's
personalities come shining through when they feel they
can be candid. They seem to me to feel as if they are
in the company of friends or at least well acquainted
colleagues. When it's just me and the council, great
things are said as the example above demonstrates.
Then the meeting ends. A couple of times the meeting
has ended without me realizing it. As far as I can best
tell, it is over once everyone stands up and starts
to chatter without any protocol. Sure the council must
move to close the meeting but sometimes it happens so
fast I can't quite digest it before everyone is headed
for the door. Often disputes are left hanging and cut
off to end the meeting. I think this occurs because
by this time everyone is ready to go home, including
myself.
City council meetings aren't boring, at least not
with this council. They respect each other and do what
they feel is best for their community, but the banter
and comments that come out while they go about their
business are worth attending the meetings for. At least
they keep me awake, even if it is only by warding off
the threat of communism.
NW
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