What could it be???

The most interesting items in this week’s workbook (for the Tuesday, 02/01/2011 Council meeting) were in the portion containing the minutes of City Council “Retreat” held on Saturday, January 22.

First, even though Councilman Smith is listed as being “present” for the roll call at the start of the meeting, there is also a notation that he did not arrive until after the discussion of the “Rules of Council”, at 9:35. It will be interesting to note at Tuesday’s meeting if anyone bothers to correct the record. Either Councilman Smith was present at the start for roll call and for the discussion of Council Rules or he did not arrive until later.

Next, KUDOS to Chief Botts for saying: “you have to understand that the first part of solving or fixing the problem is to acknowledge the problem.” Regular readers of this forum should know that I agree with this view, regardless of to which problem Chief Botts was referring.

Next, there was a discussion of the “new” Master Plan. Mr. Kohler stated that: “he is working on drafting the text of the update”. You all should know by now that if Mr. Kohler is drafting the “update” to the “new” Master Plan, it will end up being the same as the last several OLD new master plans, and nothing “new” will result from it, and more taxpayer funds will be thrown down the same old rat holes, with the same old hands stuck into the same old cookie jars while the same old eyes look the same old other ways.

A public safety initiative was discussed, but not much was recorded in these minutes. Hmm???

Ms. Phillips discussed public health in Middletown. Our Public Health Department may be the BRIGHTEST light in our City Hall chandelier. They seem to do quite a lot with very little, and actually do seem to put needs ahead of wants. They also seem to assist the needy and powerless, as opposed to the wealthy and powerful. Kudos to Ms. Phillips and her associates!!!

Mr. Duritsch said that: “roads have been a priority of council and the community”!!! He might have “said” that, but saying it doesn’t make it so. Drive around our city and tell me if you believe it!!! Of course, help seems to be on the way this year in our neediest areas of Highlands, Thorn Hill, and Rosedale (via HUD annual action plan), and the rest of us can pay for our own if we want improvement!!!

Later, Ms. Gilleland suggested a $1.2 MILLION per year tax (hidden as a “street light assessment") to be used for streets or public safety.

Ms. Gilleland also asked if Council wanted to “pursue a public safety levy". "There were six council members in agreement and one that said no.” KUDOS to the one who said “NO”. He/she “gets it”!!!

MOST IMPORTANTLY (at least in my view):  Ms. Gilleland:

“asked Council to consider going back to work sessions. There are sensitive things to discuss that are not good for the Council floor but not subject to executive session discussions.

Discussion ensued regarding work sessions on the first Tuesday of the month at 5:30. The majority of council felt it was a good idea.”

So, just what are these things that Ms. Gilleland and "the majority" of Council feel should NOT be discussed in front of all Middletonians???

Just what is it that they think should be kept secret from us???

Are there things that they are ashamed of???

Are there things going on that they think that we, the public, are too stupid to understand???

Why are they afraid of having all discussions of City business recorded by TV Middletown “for the record” and available to the public…the very public that pays the bills for their decisions, right or wrong???