Last night Gary and I went to the city council meeting so he could present an item of business that will be published in detail later. I’ve attended many city council meetings over the years and had the opportunity to observe a variety of men and women performing their duties at the local level of government. We are privileged to live in a country where we can sit in a public forum and hear a discussion of local issues, and yet I would guess by the turnout last night that most people don’t care to claim that freedom. In the past ten years I’ve yet to see more than twenty people attend a city council meeting. Only the most controversial issues, usually concerning a water rate increase or a new traffic ordinance, draw any audience at all. I am as guilty as the next person of not attending unless I have a personal stake in something on the agenda.
Last night one of the items on the agenda was a new city hall. I’m sure this will be a surprise to most residents. There will soon be discussions of the who and why and how of it at the local DQ and other gossip mills. There will be some citizens who are outraged that they weren’t informed or consulted about it. There will be others asking if they can help in any way. Both groups should have been at the meeting and perhaps two or three earlier ones. However, I suspect the general response of most folks will simply be, “Oh, look. City Hall has moved.” Such is life in America.
When we feel we are wronged in some way we tend to take the attitude of “You can’t fight City Hall!” But we need to remember that we have the right to participate in the process of city government if we choose to do so.
(These are more photos of the continued progress of the pavilion project.)
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