Pandemics, local politics and public participation - Part 2
When I was unable to gain access to the DPW public meeting in Thursday evening, I reached out to the Aldermen for help. This effort was in vain.
State Rep/Ward Rep, Patricia Klee was enjoying access to a remote meeting she was attending. She encouraged me find someone else for assistance. I reached out to Aldermen-at-Large, Atty Dave Tenza, who was remotely attending a planning board meeting. He too was enjoying access to his meeting and had no interest in that the public could not access theirs. I asked both for help to find where meetings are publicly posted. Neither could help. Aldermen O’Brien, Board President Lori Wilshire along with the Mayor’s chief of staff offered either no help or no response.
I still do not know where DPW posts their public notices and what public body member to contact if there is an access problem to a meeting.
Why wouldn’t these elected officials use their contacts to text or email the Mayor, the City Attorney, or an attending board member, to let them know the public could not gain entry? I was fortunate that I had the cell phone number of one of the Commissioners of the Board of Public Works. She let the Mayor know the public could not access the meeting. He continued with the meeting.
For these remote meetings held during this state of emergency, our Boards have decided to eliminate public comment, claiming that they don’t have the technology to provide a means for us to participate. The Mayor is holding regular press hearings. Why is the press able to call in and ask questions, but the citizens are not?
Our elected officials are truly out of touch. Our ability to listen these meeting is equally, if not more, important to those elected to sit on any Board as our money is what funds this City. Our rights should not be tossed aside by elected officials, who place their self-importance and egos above the citizenry. It’s time the elected body figure out who they serve; our ears need to be able to listen and our voices need to be heard.