I happen to agree with Tim B. on this one. Sometimes it can be effective...and perhaps the only way to show your actual position on a question to stand aside or abstain. I do not think it necessarily means "undecided" or "fence sitting"
It is hard to guess the motives behind the votes (although I am sure we woul dbe happy to read more from any of the council members) but I saw it pretty the same way Tim did. Here's a (revealing my ignorance) technical question I am curious about. This came up at a meeting I was at the other day when several people decided to abstain. Please share both what is "standard" procedure and/or what you feel is the best way to operate. Did the question still need 7 to pass or could it have passed with 11 abstentions, 2 for and 1 against? thanks, Cam In message <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Tim Bonham writes: > David, I hardly think it's fair to call this "fence-sitting". > The large number of abstentions on this vote sent 2 definite > messages to the Mayor: > - we don't like laying off the lowest-paid employee to reduce your budget, > - but we don't want to micro-manage your own office staffing. > ... Cam Gordon Seward, Ward 2 914 Franklin Terrace Minneapolis, MN 55406-1101 612.332-6210, 296-0579, 339-2452 _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
