Twice in recent months I've heard that our city attorney has made the comment (and I paraphrase here), "that is no longer state law, but it's still the way our city charter reads."
I'm not sure how many of you have ever read the city charter. It's the rules and laws under which our city operates. It covers everything from elections, procedures, and how to's for our city government. It's how we operate.
Some of the rules are set to be in compliance with State statutes. Others are just because those who went before us decided that's the way it should be. And as always, our rules can be tougher than state rules.
Recently I withdrew a partition to get term limits put in our charter. But it's a rule I believe belongs there.
Ok, down to my point. Every set of rules we have periodically need to be reviewed and made sure they are keeping up with the times. Some rules might not ever change. Some might not apply in our current world circumstances. So I believe it's time for our council to put together a review of our charter. It could be through a workshop they host, run, and work through or it could be through the appointment of a committee to review the charter and come back with recommendations. But it's obvious to me that when our city lawyers response is the same several times lately about our charter that we need to step back for 60 seconds and make sure our charter is doing what it's suppose to be doing.
Just my 2 cents on this glorious Sunday morning.
God Bless
Dennis Nesser
How about the other response? "It can't be enforced"
ReplyDeleteI agree something needs to be done. If a committee is appointed, I do hope it will be comprised of intelligent people that know what's going on, not the usual "buddies".
Bill,
ReplyDeleteIn the most recent case the person lost their job because of the charter. I'm have no dog in the city judge fight, but apparently rules have changed at the state level, but not locally. 50 years ago if someone didn't live in the city it was to hard for them to be available to make things happen.
In today's world where transportation is available and 'the norm' is it still so important?
Maybe we as a city still want it that way, maybe we want to change it. I just think it's time to review it.
I also think someone like Jackie needs to be on the committee to let us know what laws have changes, and what need to remain the same.
I heard the judges's side of the story, and I do beleive he was wronged. But when you still have remanants of "the good old boys" in power, that's going to happen. I do think just a little common courtesy to tell him who complained. Anyway.....
ReplyDeleteI agree the city attorney should be a part of any review, but hasn't the city attorney been involved with the new ordinances that have been passed over the last couple of years? How comwe they are "unenforcable" Maybe it time to review the city attorney's duties and responsibilities?
But in the end, nothings going to change. The people have spoken out and their pleas have fallen on deaf ears.
Why bother and waste the time? The people who make the rules go against their own rules and city ordinances. There is no enforcement, no repercussions, no change. They walk all over the citizens for the betterment of themselves or their pocket book. Nothing will ever change unless there is lawsuits and citizens to stand up and say were not going to take it anymore and get out there and vote them out of office!
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, the reason that some ordinances can't be enforced may go back to the fact that the last two city managers (not interim) refused to use the city attorney's input on most ordinances and contracts. A responsible manager and council wants a legal review of all these type documents for the protection of the city; but who has been worried about legal ramifications to the city? Wasn't any of the "good ole boy leaders" that we have had. Time for two more changes and we should be able to grow forward.
ReplyDeleteIt saddens me that some of you think there is no chance for change. Of course there is!!! It takes being active, being resilient, not giving up, and VOTING! It takes speaking up with your councilmember when they are wrong, and speaking up at the city council meeting if needed, making everything public. People hate it when the light is shined in the dark places.
ReplyDeleteBut the most important part is to learn the facts and speak up. One person can't change everything, but one person can make a difference. I've been told by 2 people that for the first time in 20 years each they are going to vote! Yeah, we've made a difference.
I've had more people tell me they want to know about this board or that action. Yeah, we've made a difference.
I've seen where city councilmen have changed their mind on items based on facts I've brought them. Yeah, we've made a difference!
So don't think things aren't changing.
And I don't know who the last person commenting was, but they are right. The more I'm looking the more I see plenty was going on before Huseman. Huseman just took it to new lows in my opinion. But there are plenty of things that I can see went on well before he came, and are now changing!!! YEAH, we CAN make a difference!
God Bless,
Dennis Nesser
Well Dennis, I face reality. It is apparent that my one vote in the last 30 years of elections has been stolen by someone. And no, I do not think that has been solved.
ReplyDeleteI have tried to talk to my councilman, and expressed my feelings, some of which he indicated he agreed with and then he went and voted with the majority anyway. We still have a "rubber stamp" council. Until they learn they can vote "NO" we will never change anything at city hall. Yeah, I have seen them change their opinion of issues, but after they voted for them. Let's see, the Lynn Theater foreclosure comes to mind. If there was some question, maybe make a motion to table? It's the same thing as always, let's make snap decisions BEFORE we have the facts.
No, I have no confidence in the city government. None what so ever.
Sorry I've been camping for the week and am just now catching up.
ReplyDeleteThe Lynn Theater is out of the councils hand. It is owned by GEDC and the council didn't have a say in the 'lease' on the building.
I agree that votes have been stolen, and there are several of us still keeping the issue alive so that something can be done. I don't believe it's a done deal yet, and facts are at least a couple are still being prosecuted for it.
But if we the citizens of Gonzales allow things to happen, and don't have the guts and stamina to see these issues through to the end then 'they', whichever group you'd like to call 'they', will win every time.
I will agree with you on that tabling a motion is an appropriate motion and needs to be used a lot more often than it is, it's one of the things I ping several of the councilmen about when I feel they've voted on an issue that they don't know all the facts about. We can always vote on it 72 hours later if we need to, but know the facts before we vote ya or nay.
FYI...the city council voted to foreclose before the lease agreement. That's how the GEDC got it back.
ReplyDeleteAs far as the voter fraud, one has reached a plea bargain, and for the life of me I don't see what he had to offer, the other is working on a plea. So in the end the voters got screwed over again. Personally, I cannot see how the gutless or lazy DA can even think of a plea for these two, they have proven they should be taken to trial and let the people decide.
ReplyDeleteBut no, a few votes aren't worth the time or effort. I do hope the people remember the crimes committed in the next District Attorney election.
I bet the rubber stamp will be used at this evenings council meeting! LOL
ReplyDeleteClose, but not quite...there was a table an item for lack of information.
ReplyDeleteWow! Tabled a bicycle race.
ReplyDelete