Information

We have a little discussion starting in some earlier comments. While I think people sometimes hurry when they are writing comments and, therefore, do not write in as detailed a fashion as they might otherwise, I think the underlying suggestion is that the City Commission handles at least some of its business 'off the books,' or outside of public meetings. This has long been a complaint heard around this town: "These matters have already been decided long before we get to the Commission meetings, the meetings are just a formality..."

While I try to avoid conspiracy theories, especially with people I know and who I know are trying to do a good job, I do wonder sometimes how votes can be taken in an intelligent fashion when so little information is ostensibly available to the Commissioners. It is fair to wonder, I think, whether they are obtaining additional information elsewhere and, if so, why that information is not made more generally available to the public.

For example, the Commission recently voted amend the City's contract with SME, apparently with no consideration flowing back to the City. Except for Commissioner Hinz's seeking some explanation, there was very little information changing hands publicly as to why this should happen. Wouldn't you think that, of 5 intelligent people, one of them would have thought to ask: "What do we get in return?"

This just shows why we need at least our Mayor to resume her more public presence in the blogosphere.