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While I was researching the "Council retreats and goals" post, I stumbled across this old article:
Mayor proposes subcommittees
BYLINE: Ed Richter Staff Writer erichter@coxohio.com
DATE: January 4, 2007
PUBLICATION: Middletown Journal (OH)
SECTION: ROUNDUP
Mayor David Schiavone said coming out of 2006, communication was lacking with Middletown City Council, the city's administration and the community. To help improve communication in 2007, Schiavone proposed Tuesday the creation of the council subcommittees to tackle key issues facing Middletown.
Among those issues and concerns he identified:
Minority representation to open communication and diversify city government.
Public safety to look at the fire budget, which expires March 31; police and fire negotiations; and funding issues to cover the costs of police and fire services.
Economic development to help strengthen the city's overall efforts to expand the tax and job base.
Selection of a new city manager. The committee would work with consultants to identify and select a new city manager to replace Bill Becker who retires April 1.
Schiavone said the subcommittees would look at policy and budget changes as well as update council on a regular basis. The subcommittee meetings will be open to the public and Schiavone expects council members to be appointed to the subcommittees on Jan. 19.
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The original intent of council sub-committees was to IMPROVE communication between Middletown City Council, the city's administration and the community.
Now, the sub-committees consist of THREE COUNCIL MEMBERS, and are attended by ALL OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS AVAILABLE, the CITY MANAGER, and the appropriate CITY STAFF!!!
What happened to “the community”???
There is no communication when these are nothing more than “pre-arranged discussions of city business with at least a QUORUM of council in attendance, and the PUBLIC is kept ignorant of the time and place and not allowed to participate!!!
com·mu·ni·ca·tion:
1. The exchange of thoughts, messages, or information, as by speech And there is no need to "update council on a regular basis". Nearly all of council participates at the sub-committee meetings!!!
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“Mulligan said he ... doesn’t believe they necessarily make the return on investment necessary to keep funding them.” …The Middletown Journal, January 30, 2012
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