On 12/14/03 9:57 PM, "[EMAIL PROTECTED]" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> I have found our previous Mayors, not just Mayor Rybak, to display
> similar traits of making it difficult for the average resident to have access
> to them or reasonable questions answered.
> I have asked a reasonable question-- and if the mayor would choose to
> simply answer that question on this forum or some other public forum where we
> can see his response---- great.
> Then freezing outside his fundraiser, hoping to catch him on the fly
> will not be necessary.
> It gets exhausting having to chase after public officials when they
> could simply give the respect of an answer.
I think it's disingenuous to suggest that not responding to a request for an
on-camera interview is simply "making it difficult for the average resident
to have access to them or reasonable questions answered."
Come on. A real example of the average resident having access to the mayor
came a few months ago when he organized and led open forums for discussing
the city's budget (when did SSB ever do that?). I went to one of them. Tough
questions were asked and the mayor stood up and answered them. Some of the
questions were not reasonable (i.e. Attempts to bait the mayor or rants
disguised as questions), but the mayor stood up and answered them anyway.
After the forum ended, the mayor stayed for probably at least another half
hour listening to residents and answering questions. I know because I helped
put away chairs during that time. As did Peter Wagenius from his office (who
actually stayed for about an hour, spending much of that time politely
listening to some nut ranting at him). I did not agree with everything the
mayor had to say that night, but I was impressed with him for getting out in
front of people and addressing their concerns.
If Margaret truly considers herself simply an average citizen wanting to ask
reasonable questions, then I believe the next opportunity for that has been
advertised on this list by the mayor's policy aide. Since she has
characterized herself as being available anyplace, anytime to speak with the
mayor, I would suggest she go to it and leave her video camera at home.
Mark Snyder
Windom Park
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