Several times during the past couple months, I’ve found myself in the audience of County Council meetings where elected officials were scheduled to deliberate following testimony and render a decision with a vote. Maybe it was a coincidence, but every meeting I attended, except one, took testimony and/or deliberated, but did not render a decision.
There was a recess in the proceedings and a follow-on meeting was scheduled for some date down the road where a decision would be made. That really gripes me!
In several instances, the audience numbered fifteen or more. Those people came to hear testimony, listen to deliberation and leave with a decision. Boy weren’t they disappointed!
I wouldn’t characterize this as a tactic, but anyone who has attended public meetings where there is a high probability of conflict has seen the same thing. Elected officials tend to avoid making decisions in the moment with citizens looking them in the eye. By putting off the decision, they must hope to wear the citizens down or punish them by forcing them to come back another time.
For those citizens that had to hire a consultant or an attorney, took time off from work, or had to drive a significant distance, handling the issue with one meeting is very desirable.
If the issue is really contentious and the testimony is lengthy it may require a continuance to complete the process, but unless they announce the possibility of a continuance in advance citizens are entitled to a decision.
Oh, I will grant that on occasion it takes an additional meeting to consider all the input from staff and public testimony. In those situations a carry-over may be warranted. But, not every time.
Even if it isn’t true, the appearance is that after a recess is called the council members talk about the issue “off the record” after leaving the room. They can say whatever they like, but in my experience, it is true.
I think if I were elected to the County Council, I would recommend that decisions be rendered before adjournment so nobody has to wonder about the legitimacy of the outcome. Elected officials should have to face the constituents and cast their vote in the light of day.
Posted on February 18, 2009 at 2:42 pm in Political commentary, Snohomish County Council, Snohomish County Political Commentary | RSS feed
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No Loss for Words
Take Testimony – Deliberate – Vote!
by Steve DanaSeveral times during the past couple months, I’ve found myself in the audience of County Council meetings where elected officials were scheduled to deliberate following testimony and render a decision with a vote. Maybe it was a coincidence, but every meeting I attended, except one, took testimony and/or deliberated, but did not render a decision.
There was a recess in the proceedings and a follow-on meeting was scheduled for some date down the road where a decision would be made. That really gripes me!
In several instances, the audience numbered fifteen or more. Those people came to hear testimony, listen to deliberation and leave with a decision. Boy weren’t they disappointed!
I wouldn’t characterize this as a tactic, but anyone who has attended public meetings where there is a high probability of conflict has seen the same thing. Elected officials tend to avoid making decisions in the moment with citizens looking them in the eye. By putting off the decision, they must hope to wear the citizens down or punish them by forcing them to come back another time.
For those citizens that had to hire a consultant or an attorney, took time off from work, or had to drive a significant distance, handling the issue with one meeting is very desirable.
If the issue is really contentious and the testimony is lengthy it may require a continuance to complete the process, but unless they announce the possibility of a continuance in advance citizens are entitled to a decision.
Oh, I will grant that on occasion it takes an additional meeting to consider all the input from staff and public testimony. In those situations a carry-over may be warranted. But, not every time.
Even if it isn’t true, the appearance is that after a recess is called the council members talk about the issue “off the record” after leaving the room. They can say whatever they like, but in my experience, it is true.
I think if I were elected to the County Council, I would recommend that decisions be rendered before adjournment so nobody has to wonder about the legitimacy of the outcome. Elected officials should have to face the constituents and cast their vote in the light of day.
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Posted on February 18, 2009 at 2:42 pm in Political commentary, Snohomish County Council, Snohomish County Political Commentary | RSS feed | Reply | Trackback URL