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Cracker Jax
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| Joined: | Oct 23rd, 2005 |
| Location: | Summerfield, USA |
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Posted: Dec 1st, 2006 05:18 pm |
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Hairbrush wrote: Saltydog I totally agree. I know that the other council members can get the point across without rudeness. They have shown class and restraint, but I think the time has come for them to stand together against the rest of the concerned citizens.
I have personally witnessed Carolyn, Bob and Dena get hot under the collar on several occasions when the CC's go off on one of their tirades and they all three don't mind setting Becky or Dwayne straight on an issue if need be.
My question is, what else would you have the three of them do? They are usually unprepared because they don't know what these people will bring up next and therefore aren't prepared to argue it, or they show how they feel with a 3-2 vote. That's what we elected them to do.
I just think it's easy to say that they other council members should do something, but what??
Maybe Jane can shed some light on what she would do differently were she still on the council now that the "shock" factor has been removed from the equation.
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Hairbrush
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Posted: Dec 1st, 2006 05:33 pm |
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| I too have seen them get hot under the collar and I appreciate their speaking up, but I do think they need to do more to stop Ms. Dunham when she says that the amphitheatre is costing 2.2 million (I guess her number has gone up now). I also think they are going to have to do a better job when she speaks at times that are not considered a public hearing. I do think at times that she brings up good points but she needs to wait until a public hearing to speak. I also think that the council needs to say something about the material that is left at the table at the door into the council meeting. I feel that by the materials being with official town papers that it gives the appearance that these papers are truthful and have been approved. Those are the kind of things I think they can do.
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macca
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Posted: Dec 1st, 2006 05:35 pm |
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| Crackah, I'm glad to hear the others are standing up to them... So are they getting the message from the Mayor and the attorney that they cannot continue to use these tactics to impede progress? Are they allowed to disrupt proceedings, or does business get done in a more professional manner now?
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A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. Herm Albright
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DOGGETTJA
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| Joined: | Oct 24th, 2005 |
| Location: | Summerfield |
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Posted: Dec 1st, 2006 11:44 pm |
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| Cracker- Now that the shock is over If I were on the council I would ask the mayor to call the meeting to order when members out in the audience speak out of turn. That would go a long way to solving some of the problems. The one time I spoke out of turn BS called me on a point of order which she has every right to do but month after month after month Mom gets to hold court when ever she decides she wants to. Why is a point of order not called on her? that is something the rest of the council could ask for if the mayor is not doing it on his own.
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WB
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Posted: Dec 2nd, 2006 12:59 am |
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I was present at this week's meeting of the Summerfield Parks & Recreation Committee (SPARC) where the results of the recent PCOG survey were reviewed and where preliminary Park Phase II ideas were discussed. Ms Dunham, of the Concerned Citizens group, attended as well and unfortunately arrived a little late and missed much of the discussion of the survey results. Ms Dunham made many comments and observations that were insightful and quite helpful.
I think a group such as the Concerned Citizens has the potential of being helpful by raising legitimate concerns and by ensuring tight controls are maintained over the Town's funds. It's unfortunate that there is such a great deal of acrimony since there is such potential for progress. At my job, I've sometimes been accused of being so tight with a buck that I can make the dead presidents scream for mercy; but it's not really helpful for the CC's to have the nihilistic view of opposing virtually anything that involves financial expenditures. This does not further their own cause in that it frustrates other citizens into believing that there is nothing that can be done to make progress towards acquiring the infrastruture and facillities needed within the Town and get the buy-in of the CC's as well.
In my view, it is the task of SPARC to determine the highest priority needs of the Town in terms of active and passive recreational facilities, and to outline cost-effective ways and plans to satisfy the needs of it's citizens. Those proposals are then presented to, and discussed by, the Town Council who is charged with giving SPARC the guidance as to whether or not such proposals can be entertained and the funds that can be invested in them. Ultimately, it's not SPARC that is spending the Town's money, it is Town Council who controls the pursestrings, as it should be.
I've also said many times that the CC's won the last election by working hard and campaigning effectively. The two newest Council members are thereby owed our respect for having won the most votes thus becoming elected representatives of all of Summerfield's citizens. That being said, I have felt uncomfortable with some of the recent conduct of Mr Crawford and Ms Strickland.
I am not intimately knowlegable of Mr Crawford's efforts to uncover the identities of those who post on this forum or why he is doing it. This makes me uncomfortable not only because I think that this effort can be construed as a violation of the websites terms of use but also it doesn't seem worthy of one of our elected representatives. It could be viewed that this might be an effort to stiffle citizen's opinions and restrict free speech. After all, there is the potential that an elected representative could make life difficult for someone who dares to criticize that representative.
I've also read NW Observer articles that have quoted Ms Strickland. However, I've read that she has demanded that any quotes used by the paper be used in its entirety and verbatim. I feel uncomfortable with a Council member making such a demand and I feel uncomfortable if the newspaper actually acquieces to the demand. In possessing an elected position, I believe that a Council member loses some of the rights of privacy accorded to an ordinary citizen. In other words, I feel that it's a Council members duty to the Town to explain their actions and opinions. If the newspaper uses their statements in context and accurately, then a Council member has no right to make further demands of the newspaper.
Sorry to ramble on so.
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Baseball Buddy
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Posted: Dec 2nd, 2006 02:10 am |
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| Thanks for the kind words Parklover. and yes I am involved with the committee.
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Cracker Jax
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| Joined: | Oct 23rd, 2005 |
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Posted: Dec 2nd, 2006 02:36 am |
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From the Summerfield Town Council Forum P. 48
DOGGETTJA wrote:
I thought Mark did an excellent job of controlling the meeting at one point when it almost collapsed into chaos. He showed real signs of leadership.
I thought that last August when Jane posted the above comment that Mark and Bill Hill were finally getting the hang of the hushing the crowd issue. Now that the CC's are bombarding the council with their anti-park, pre-election rhetoric, the control seems to have tapered off.
I definitely agree that Mark could be more assertive in hushing the cc tirades. And Bill Hill could perhaps remind him when he doesn't. However, if I remember correctly, the one time that Bob Williams (then, mayor pro tem) tried to "go over" the mayor's head and hush GD up, he caught a lot of flack for it. Of course, he did grab the gavel and I'm not sure of the exact "gavel rules"...... 
I also agree that Dunham shouldn't be allowed to put her coloring pages out on the same table as the official meeting documents, however I'm not sure it's illegal to do so.
I'd love for the council to ask Bill Hill if this is legal if they haven't already. If it's legal, one option might be to put some much more attractive flyers filled with the TRUTH right beside hers. 
Of course, her flyers always provide good forum fodder.....
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DOGGETTJA
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| Joined: | Oct 24th, 2005 |
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Posted: Dec 2nd, 2006 03:03 am |
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Hey What happened to ParkLover's comments. I see the name but nothing else?
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EditorPS
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Posted: Dec 2nd, 2006 03:41 am |
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WB wrote: It's unfortunate that there is such a great deal of acrimony since there is such potential for progress... but it's not really helpful for the CC's to have the nihilistic view of opposing virtually anything that involves financial expenditures. This does not further their own cause in that it frustrates other citizens into believing that there is nothing that can be done to make progress towards acquiring the infrastruture and facillities needed within the Town and get the buy-in of the CC's as well.
Hi WB,
You may have already received a proper "Welcome" but if not, I wanted to say welcome to the forum and thanks for sharing your perspective.
I also agree that the CCs have the potential to help, rather than hinder Summerfield. Speaking of the small handful of people who are willing to openly admit that they are part of the CC group, they appear to be intellecutal and undoubtedly spend countless hours monitoring town government activity. Unfortunately, their tactics have, as you said, not furthered their cause and in fact, they have repeatedly stumbled over their own footsteps. A constant barrage of criticism and stone throwing is no way to gain the ears, or the respect of fellow citizens.
As for the CCs who were elected, I for one do not feel as though they have made any attempt to hear my opinion or to represent me or my family (we are Summerfield residents) -- in fact, I feel that I have been scorned for not thinking exactly as "they" do and the divided line between us was made clear by Ms. Strickland immediately following the election last November. Ms. Strickland was too busy to meet with me face to face, and in the year since the election rarely takes calls from the Northwest Observer or responds to e-mails.
You seem to watch town activities yourself -- hope you'll become a regular on our forum so that we can share opinions and perspectives!
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Steve Adkins
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| Joined: | Oct 14th, 2005 |
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Posted: Dec 2nd, 2006 11:21 am |
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DOGGETTJA wrote: Hey What happened to ParkLover's comments. I see the name but nothing else?
Parklover thought himmer was sending a Private Message to another participant, when himmer was actually posting it, therefore the postings were removed.
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Steve Adkins
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Posted: Dec 2nd, 2006 11:23 am |
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WB wrote: I think a group such as the Concerned Citizens has the potential of being helpful by raising legitimate concerns and by ensuring tight controls are maintained over the Town's funds. It's unfortunate that there is such a great deal of acrimony since there is such potential for progress. At my job, I've sometimes been accused of being so tight with a buck that I can make the dead presidents scream for mercy; but it's not really helpful for the CC's to have the nihilistic view of opposing virtually anything that involves financial expenditures. This does not further their own cause in that it frustrates other citizens into believing that there is nothing that can be done to make progress towards acquiring the infrastruture and facillities needed within the Town and get the buy-in of the CC's as well.
Thank you for joining us WB. Your fresh perspective looking at "both sides" is welcome & refreshing. We look forward to more of your postings.
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DOGGETTJA
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Posted: Dec 2nd, 2006 12:38 pm |
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| Thanks Steve I will quit worrying about blindness!!!!
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DOGGETTJA
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Posted: Dec 3rd, 2006 01:12 pm |
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| Just read in this morning Greensboro paper that Dianne Laughlin is back as Interim Town Clerk. Welcome back Dianne. we missed you. Also thank you Robin Smith for staying another month as planner while the Town tries to figure out what to do. Sure hope they don't have to go back to Guilford County for planning services.
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LottieDottie
Member
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Posted: Dec 3rd, 2006 01:27 pm |
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I think the board (mayor) needs to be "prepared" to deal with anyone in the audience that speaks out without permission from the board. Wouldn't that be in the rules and regulations of the boards articles of whatever? He needs to be prepared to READ to anyone that "talks" out of turn when it happens. That would get the message across that they are up on the rules and regs and it won't be tolerated. Where is the Sargent of Arms? Does the board have one? You are NOT supposed to speak out at a meeting. You must request to be heard. You just can't jump up in the middle of the meeting and spout your opinion.
LottieDottie
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FatPappy
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| Joined: | Oct 25th, 2005 |
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Posted: Dec 3rd, 2006 01:32 pm |
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Greensboro's got a paper now? I be dogged.
Dianne's always welcome! Glad she's back, if only temporary.
Mebbe Robin'll change her mind an' stay whar she belongs.
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How many legs does a dog have if you call the tail a leg? Four; calling a tail a leg doesn't make it a leg.
--Abraham Lincoln
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