We all know the truth, Mayor TenHaken and his staff were forced to open up the Events Center Campus Book Club meetings because councilors Starr and Stehly are sticklers about open government. God Bless Them!
So in a ‘sour grapes’ move I’ve been hearing they had their first ‘Open Meeting’ in the crowded old commission chambers instead of Carnegie. They supplied about 2 chairs for the public for a 3 hour meeting. Staff was rude, and several city employees were burning up the time clock ‘hanging out’ in the meeting.
This is NOT open government, this is obstinance.
Many people in government, conservative, liberal or whackadoodle don’t believe government should be open. They think things get done ‘faster’ when we shut r’ down. While this may be true, it usually doesn’t turn out well for the public. It has been proven time and time again open government prevents fraud, corruption and saves taxpayers money, but all those arguments aside, only one thing matters; We OWN this government, we have a right to see what is going on, it is OUR money.
I have told people if Sioux Falls city government sided on openness I wouldn’t have to have a blog. The fight gets tiresome sometime, because it’s always the tired old predictable things that happen under closed government.
Why must we fight for something so hard that is so easy? You promised transparency Mayor TenHaken, NOW is the time to deliver.
The attempted secrecy of this year old administration is certainly getting old. Along with that, the predictability of Councilor voting is becoming laughable. Is it what was expected after the last election? Behavior of both the Mayor and certain Council members will surely make the next three years interesting to say the least.
Blocking citizens is shamefully unpatriotic. As a combat veteran, I especially appreciate Stehly and Starr for their stance promoting transparency. Strong Mayor Charter is socialism. When the rest of the council and a new mayor realize what they represent it will be time for a charter of, by, and for the people.
You know they had the meeting in the old city commission room because they had previously met at the events center and there was a big event going on the day of the meeting. You guys look for conspiracies everywhere.
Could have had it at the library, plenty of parking, plenty of seating. Same goes for Carnegie (could have recorded it there). Trust me, it would put in the old chambers so the public and media would have a difficult time attending. MP, I have been following this long enough to know the games city hall will play when they don’t want the public to be there. Just like having people pre-register for a press conference.
Didn’t see you at the meeting, Matthew Paulson!