I am disappointed with the inability of a majority of the current Park commissioners to come up with a solution for a policy for campaigning in the Parks. I only have Chris Johnson's report to figure out what happened after the cameras went off. But if his report is correct, what is happening is not a single troubling incident of questionable application of a bad rule. What is happening is a dysfunctional board unable to understand or amend its own rules to provide a fair playing ground for politicians in its parks. It ain't rocket science. All that needed to happen was a majority vote to allow campaigning by individuals in any park in all areas that are not covered by a special permit. In areas where there is a special permit, permit holders shall be able to make their own rules that help them organize their events. The permit holder can make rules about selling tables or booths, selecting food vendors and making rules for access to such events. ( So an event with a permit could charge politicians a fee to participate). Another thing that is troubling is the misuse and misunderstanding of parliamentary procedure that happens at Park Board meetings. I have a great deal of respect for Robert's Rules of Order. I think that in many organizations, the level of complexity can be simplified and more informal. But what I have seen at the Park Board is a pattern of incorrect use of Robert's Rules of order that limits debate and decreases the rights of the minority. The motion to suspend the rules and call the question are consistently done improperly and incorrectly. Commissioner Erwin also made some comments about Open Time, and in context, he was supportive of citizen participation. He said something about open time being something that no other local govt. entity has. While that may be true, it is also an inferior method of citizen participation in many respects because Park Board rules (often violated) prohibit discussion of any item on the agenda and do not allow any comments or dialogue by Park Commissioners during open time. Basically the Park Board has no formalized system for citizen input for what is on the agenda or for involvement, discussion or input at a committee level where policy is being formed. Open time has no direct timely connection to board action. With all this conversation about Park Board ordinances............ Here are a few you should know: Spitting in a canoe is prohibited PB2-14. No ice skating more than 6 m.p.h. unless it is a Park Board event PB2-28. And no one over the age of 9 can be naked in the Parks except if they are in a musical, or artistic performance in a park or parkway where no alcoholic beverages are sold PB2-21. Thanks, Scott Vreeland Seward Today, I worked with a group doing prairie restoration at giggly hills. The weeding part was actually a violation of PB2-2 -Molesting vegetation -which makes it a crime for non Park Board employees to injure weeds.
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