Tainted

On March 13, the Maplewood City Council voted to suspend and terminate resident public comment which they call “Visitor Presentations” from the council’s meeting agenda for the next three months, while they decide “how they want to engage with the public.” This extremely disappointing action on their part serves to limit ordinary people’s engagement in the city council meeting process. Further, it eliminates the ability of others, watching the meeting, to hear what comments, concerns, opinions and suggestions that others in the community are communicating to the council.

The Maplewood council and City Manager Melinda Coleman suggest the community conversation aspect of public comment is outdated in this day of technology, Facebook, Twitter and email. Residents of any community have the most impact upon their government at the local, municipal level. Where is the sense of community and community conversation if we, the people, are relegated to tweeting our message of roughly 140 characters as we attempt to engage our elected officials and participate in the local governance process? Sounds like they are taking their cues from certain folks at the federal level of government.
- Diana Longrie, Maplewood Resident and Business Owner.  The writer is a former mayor of Maplewood.

via Sainted and Tainted: Celebrating birthdays, and a gift for the future – Twin Cities.