I would like to applaud Mr. Ostrow's decision to limit city council meetings to city business.
We elect and pay council members to run this city, not make foreign policy. We are currently faced with a financial emergency that could become a crisis. If we don't solve this problem, the resulting increases in taxes and fees will be devastating to our most vulnerable citizens. Some may have to the resources to absorb hefty increases but many do not. What is going to happen to the people who are already struggling and counting every cent? We need the council to focus their energy on the city's financial problems. Debating foreign policy (and debate would be necessary because this city does not speak with a single voice) would be absolutely counter-productive to managing effectively. The last city election resulted in the removal of several council members because the voters were tired of the way they had been conducting business. At least some of the current council members seem to have gotten the message and are doing things differently. I sincerely hope the rest join them. As one of my favorite quotes states "If you always do what you always done, you'll always get what you've always got." Catherine Leighton Live in Longfellow/Work North East _______________________________________ 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
