First of all I want to point out that our city is functioning in a FAR better manner than it has in years as far as transparency, and as far as I can tell openness to the council. Last nights city council agenda had over 30 items on it. Some were what some people might of call bs items, but all of them were rightfully on the agenda. This is a testament to Mr. Windwehen, and the city employees that have rallied around him to get our city government back in check. Thank you!
With that said there were a couple of items that I didn't understand at last nights meeting.
1) I don't understand why public comments were moved to the beginning when Roberts Rules of Orders specifically state all discussion on a matter should happen AFTER the question (the issue) is put to the floor (meaning a motion and a second has been made). So now we are suppose to just sit on our hands and say nothing during the entire city council meetings regardless of what is valid or invalid being said. What happens when a point is brought up by a council member now? We as citizens aren't suppose to speak, so we can't give the answers needed for well informed decisions. On top of which, it's the 'sometimes' that someone makes a valid point during that discussion of an item that makes the difference in a vote.
2) I don't understand why that rule was to be broken for one item on the agenda, the vote of a city paper of record. Why is it EVERYONE else had to obey the rules EXCEPT the Gonzales Inquirer. Then Mayor O'Neil in 'fairness' said, "we'll have to let the other side speak". Either we are going to do it this way or not! You can't have it one way except when you want to hear from someone. There is no fairness on the 29+ other issues that were discussed at the meetings.
3) I will never understand why the pride of some will not let them admit they've made a mistake. Mayor O'Neils proclamation declaring a Roaches Day for the City of Gonzales is inexcusable under the current circumstances. Pastor Roaches is currently being indited for a felony, and declaring this at this time was in poor taste and judgement. Let him prove he's innocence and THEN approve it. But for the mayor to try to defend that at a city council meeting just shows he's out of touch with reality!
On the bright side, and there is plenty of that, Mr. Windwehem supported my comment that there needs to be a procedure for board vacancies so that all citizens of Gonzales could be made aware of openings. You will probably find some great new candidates to fill these instead of the same crowd over and over again. Remember though, ALL of these are volunteers, and regardless of their affiliations are still paid zippo for their time and efforts and should be thanked for doing so.
For the second month in a row the council saw a running budget. It's always amazed me that the city council was asked to run the city without knowing what was coming in or going out in money. This is a fantastic improvement and clears up much of the muddy water that use to be there.
The movement of St. George electrical is on track and already looking better!
We have a process started to get a full time city manager. If I understood correctly we've still get about 6 months or so before we'll see one, but we are on track. Hopefully Mr. Windwehem will stay with us till the bitter end on this one and help guide our council to a great replacement that will continue on the wonderful things he's started.
I saw the city council table several items for lack of information. What a great thing. In the past it always felt like they needed to vote on everything, last night it didn't work that way.
The city passed a ban on K2 and synthetic drugs. In the past we were told wait till the state took care of it. I'm glad to see our council addressing and taking care of it themselves!
I also saw a fairly full chambers in a meeting that didn't have anything of public controversy. Not that there wasn't some controversy, but it wasn't of the public magnitude of JB Wells, the City Managers firing, or the horse issue. And yet there were a room full of concerned citizens there. Way to go Gonzales!
We didn't get where we are in a day, but I think we are on the back right road to pointing our great town in the right direction. I would like to see the discussion put back where it belongs, after the 2nd of a motion. It parliamentary procedure 101. I hope the council follows my request, with the city managers support to come up with a procedure for board vacancies. And I hope Mayor O'Neil will think before he signs another proclamation declaring someone a great person, and make sure that person truly deserves that recognition.
God Bless,
Dennis Nesser
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