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YOUR OPINION IS REQUESTED!
I was recently asked by a sitting Councilmember why, in my opinion, more people do not turn out to attend the Council meetings. We both came to different conclusions.
My conclusion was that it was bad timing. At 6pm on a Monday evening, many mom's are busy cooking dinner for their families and many working people who have to travel some distance are busy driving on the freeways at that hour just trying to get home. I further stated that more people who would like to attend would gladly do so if these meetings were held on a Saturday afternoon so these stated people would then have the time and opportunity to attend.
His conclusion was simply, public apathy.
If I am right, this should be brought to the attention of the Council, even though Hand says that would be inconvenient for HER.
If he is right, shame on all of us!
What say you?
Jim Richards
11 comments from 9 users
1
posted by
anonymous
on Sep 7, 2007 at 09:39 AM
She works for the people of Tehachapi! It is a inconvenient for us the taxpayers to meet at 6pm. She is out to lunch like usual. How about 2pm and 8 pm on mondys?
posted by
LoriMorales
on Sep 7, 2007 at 10:36 AM
Jim - I think you're both right. The time of the meetings is very inconvenient and personally, I think this is done purposely. But, the public is also apathetic, which is truly a shame. posted by
ChristineFroehlich
on Sep 7, 2007 at 10:56 AM
JIm~ I have noticed that Boards tend to pick times like 5 or 6 p.m.,on workdays, It sure makes it difficult to get there for those of us who work. I am all for a Saturday morning session as opposed to a workday, so I could actually have the opportunity to be there. I don't really believe that people are apathetic, but they need motivating, and they need to feel like what they have to say and that their participation could make a difference. Rally the troops for a Saturday, and I guarantee more people will show up. I truly believe that our community members, are concerned, and do care. Maybe we should ask the Tehachapi News to take a Poll on this and see what happens?
posted by
jimr
on Sep 7, 2007 at 11:16 AM
Many thanks for the comments thus far. I hope more people weigh in on this issue and I will present it to the City Council for an Agenda item for them to consider. (And we can ALL see how THEY feel about it.) And, I did present this to the TN as a potential poll issue and they did not agree! 'Nuff said about that, eh? Jim Richards posted by
countygirl
on Sep 7, 2007 at 11:37 AM
Sadly I have to agree with Lori. I can't tell you how many people have no clue what is going on in their town. I'm talking about things that have been published in the newspaper and even debated to some extent here. They are clueless. The timing of these meetings are bad. They are right around dinner time and usually go past my kids bed time. The idea of having to pay for a babysitter so I can attend all the city council meetings isn't a highlight either.
posted by
DonMar
on Sep 7, 2007 at 02:12 PM
Jim, you bring up a good point, as usual. I second the motion that meetings should be held on Saturday mornings, or afternoons, and believe more concerned citizens would attend (I definitely would). It is beyond absurd to schedule Council meetings at dinner-time and/or when the collective work-force are still in-transit. Most shareholders' meetings are mid-afternoon (albeit during the week), so why not try convening on Saturdays and see if there is a positive response; we already know there is a negative response to the current time period. As for asking the TN to do a survey on this topic, it takes them forever just to change their weekly survey; unfortunately, it is no big surprise they were not interested in addressing this important issue . . . Apparently, they are not up to this simple task. posted by
madkow2747
on Sep 7, 2007 at 02:22 PM
I don't think anyone would care to listen to my 5 month old scream through the meeting :)
posted by
LuvMyKatz
on Sep 7, 2007 at 02:45 PM
Although 93561 is my postal code I am not considered to be part of the city, therefore even if I felt strongly about something my voice is silent. Maybe if you called it a Community meeting instead of City Council more would show up. Those of us in the county do allot of our business in the City and what happens to Tehachapi affects us too.
posted by
jimr
on Sep 7, 2007 at 03:38 PM
Luv, I have said this MANY times before....Even if you do not live within the City Limits, you are allowed to stand up and speak your piece. And, if you can't/won't do that, you can at least applaud someone who does and with whom you agree. The decisions that are made by the Tehachapi City Council will ultimately affect EVERYONE who lives within the greater Tehachapi area. "Come On Down", we need you! Jim Richards posted by
DonMar
on Sep 7, 2007 at 04:11 PM
Do you think the TN will ever make this a topic to vote for/against ? If not, why not? After all, it is a public opinion survey . . . So far, most of the questions the TN have asked in their surveys haven't been that interesting. However, as you can see by the number of replies to your post, this is an important topic. M. posted by
anonymous
on Sep 7, 2007 at 04:43 PM
I have to disagree. I think evenings during the week are better for a city council meeting...too many sports--soccer, baseball, and basketball are held on Sat....and there are those of us who like to take weekend trips to the beach and to see family, Disneyland etc. Just eat a quick dinner and break up your routine, there is time to go to a council meeting in the evening...and thanks for the invite--I thought you had to live in Tehachapi to comment at he meetings.
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