I find it unbelievable that one member of the City Council has the ability
to decide that the only way the public will be able to access budget hearing
information & discussion is by schlepping down to City Hall to view us in
person. We have been able to tape and/or televise committee and Council
Meetings, one would only assume that one of the most important discussions
and debates we have all year would be part of the commitment to a more
inclusive and open public process.
While budget hearings many not be the most exciting thing to watch on Cable,
the choice should be up to residents, taxpayers and the public. As usual,
not much will change unless the public voices its collective concern to
members of the Council. No need to call me, I already agree!
Lisa Goodman
Ward 7
-----Original Message-----
From: bwslane [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
Sent: Thursday, November 09, 2000 5:21 PM
To: Multiple recipients of list
Subject: Re: Budget Hearings
Mike Hohmann wrote
>I understand the City Council Budget Hearings will not be
televised on cable
>television. I urge list members to call their City Council
member and
>request that the hearings be televised during the later
half of this month.
>CM Lane suggests, "The best information I have is that the
Chair of the Ways
>and Means Committee, Joan Campbell, has elected not to do
so. I am not privy
>to the basis for this decision."
You don't need to call me (at least on this one) -- I'm a
believer! We're
working on trying to get this resolved but your support will
surely help.
While Mr. Minn's comments about the content are correct, the
Finance
Staff overviews of the operating and capital budgets would
be well worth
watching. Broadcast of the remainder is an open government
issue.
Barret
--
Barret W.S. Lane
Attorney at Law
Hanlon & Lane, P.L.L.P.
2925 Dean Parkway, Suite 300
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55416
Firm: (612) 928-7612
Direct: (612) 924-0496
E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
