Not only did this bizarre adventure into town government display a complete lack of understanding of the issues on the agenda, but it also showed the council's disregard of the public.
One would like to think that any questions about items on the agenda would have been answered at the council's agenda meeting weeks before the regular meeting.
Of the several contested items on Monday's agenda - a new tax for stormwater, softening the conflict of interest ordinance - the new nincompoops managed to find time to slip in an ordinance reversing the town's acceptance of the Ford Road Bridge over Eagle Creek - thanks to Beam Longest and Neff - remember who - Jim Longest and his brother Tom, dumped thousands of dollars into the councilors' campaigns.
One might hope someone on the council would know that the County Commissioners are responsible for bridges in Boone County, and this ordinance does nothing except chest pounding, and pave the road for the devastation of the tunnel of trees, thanks to Gene ''Oz'' Thompson.
So now to the open government part.
One might hope someone on the council would know that the County Commissioners are responsible for bridges in Boone County, and this ordinance does nothing except chest pounding, and pave the road for the devastation of the tunnel of trees, thanks to Gene ''Oz'' Thompson.
So now to the open government part.
As the council was getting ready to pass the Ford Road bridge ordinance, a member of the public had the audacity to ask if the ordinance could be recited so that the public would know what was being voted on.
Humpty Dumpty Haak then proceeded to stumble through the ordinance. Shortly afterward, another citizen cited inaccuracies in the ordinance, and was told she had limited minutes and to sit down.
When pressed if the council knew what the cost would be of a new bridge would be, Humpty Dumpty promptly stated the public was out of time. Wouldn't you think the council would want to know what the costs were?
During the three-hour root canal, the newly-sworn would voice the rationale for their votes - after the vote was taken - no dummies, you express your position before the vote.
Would someone please give these do-gooders a course in parliamentary procedure and train Humpty Dumpty on how to treat the public with transparent government.
The Ides of March next.
Humpty Dumpty Haak then proceeded to stumble through the ordinance. Shortly afterward, another citizen cited inaccuracies in the ordinance, and was told she had limited minutes and to sit down.
When pressed if the council knew what the cost would be of a new bridge would be, Humpty Dumpty promptly stated the public was out of time. Wouldn't you think the council would want to know what the costs were?
During the three-hour root canal, the newly-sworn would voice the rationale for their votes - after the vote was taken - no dummies, you express your position before the vote.
Would someone please give these do-gooders a course in parliamentary procedure and train Humpty Dumpty on how to treat the public with transparent government.
The Ides of March next.
