A great suggestion was made by Russ Cohen today at the study session that the Mayor should consider a town hall meeting so residents can discuss issues going on in their town and ask questions.
Not necessary - Galligan says he is always available by email. Plus during council meetings and study sessions the residents are given 3 minutes to make their statements. Of course what he forgot to mention is that at council meetings speakers are not allowed to ask questions and councilmembers are not supposed to "act" on anything the speaker says in their three minutes. Some dialogue!
The former-madam mayor would have been more open to the town hall meeting idea than the present mayor because she is very good at listening to her constituents and valuing what they think. An important lesson in the political game.
If anyone wants a dialogue with Galligan his city email number is [email protected]. For the few lucky ones who are in the IGBBGClub, there is always the fax machine or hand deliveries. Not much of a dialogue but that will have to do for the next 10 months!
Not necessary - Galligan says he is always available by email. Plus during council meetings and study sessions the residents are given 3 minutes to make their statements. Of course what he forgot to mention is that at council meetings speakers are not allowed to ask questions and councilmembers are not supposed to "act" on anything the speaker says in their three minutes. Some dialogue!
The former-madam mayor would have been more open to the town hall meeting idea than the present mayor because she is very good at listening to her constituents and valuing what they think. An important lesson in the political game.
If anyone wants a dialogue with Galligan his city email number is [email protected]. For the few lucky ones who are in the IGBBGClub, there is always the fax machine or hand deliveries. Not much of a dialogue but that will have to do for the next 10 months!
- Written by Fiona
Why bother ... it is like talking to a brick wall.Can I join the IGBBGClub or is it an exclusive club!?
Posted by: Jim | January 30, 2005 at 04:27 AM
What a great idea but of course it does take a very strong person to stand up and answer questions. Maybe it could be couched as a press conference but residents could ask questions too. Doesn't even our President have to answer questions from the media and we get to listen to the answers?That would be fantastic!
Posted by: Rosaline | January 31, 2005 at 12:41 AM
I think that at times the council needs to go to the people. The people will not always go to the council. In my opinion, it is one of the best ways to find out what the constituency is thinking.If I were in their shoes I would go out of my way to hold public forums and town hall meetings. They are at no cost to the city, they are low tech and they are valuable.Mayor Galligan's response to the suggestion for the record was, " I am available by e-mail."
Posted by: Russ | January 31, 2005 at 05:32 PM
I have never had a response from this mayor. When I have phoned or emailed him and then later met him in public, he said it was his busy time.
I thought maybe he is too busy to be mayor.
Posted by: Angela | January 31, 2005 at 10:21 PM
"Da Mayor" has pubiclly stepped in it again. There are some individuals, that "Da Mayor" has blocked us from contacting him via email, he will not return telephone calls, and I personally do not care to use the fax, because there isn't a communication trail, which is absolutely necessary!!!!!!
Posted by: rich grogan | January 31, 2005 at 10:26 PM
What I do now is I copy my letter seven times - five to the council, one to the city manager and one to public record and then I hand deliver them to City Hall. This way no city employee has to take time photocopying for the council packets. Most importantly for me, the public record copy can go into public record for ALL to see.
Posted by: Fiona | January 31, 2005 at 11:18 PM