Hello community members, as you are aware there are several important topics that will be considered and voted on at tonight’s(January 17th) regular MSB Assembly meeting. Perhaps most concerning are proposed changes to the existing ethics code and changes to the guidelines to public participation that will affect all future Assembly meetings.    As you guess both of these topics, depending on the outcome, the results will have far reaching effects on the public’s future ability to participate in Assembly meetings,hold our ELECTED OFFICIALS accountable, maintain a fair and transparent public process and ensure that the voice of the public is adequately considered by the mayor and the Assembly.

We  feel compelled to remind the Mayor and the sitting Assembly members that they are public servants, elected by the public to serve the public interest.   Furthermore, public speech is not a privilege it is a right that is enshrined in First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.  The changes on public participation being proposed by the Assembly will greatly restrict this right and stifle the public’s ability to have a voice  in government decision making by our ELECTED OFFICIALS.

Public Participation Changes: Ordinance 12-002— would set a maximum time limit of 60 minutes for public participation. With a three-minute limit per person already in place, this would restrict initial testimony to the first few dozen people heard.  We have seen first hand what this looks like from the Mayor’s coal resolution meeting at the Depot.

Below is an article in the frontiersman written by Assembly member Warren Keogh which highlights what the ramifications could be if it passes.

http://www.frontiersman.com/opinions/be-vocal-whether-assembly-wants-to-hear-you-or-not/article_2414a756-3f52-11e1-a97e-0019bb2963f4.html?cbst=46

Ethics Issue- The mayor has been working hard over the past year to dismantle the current Ethics code.  First he tried to eliminate the independent ethics board all together and then after much back settled for suggested changes to the current code.  One has to ask, what is the Assembly so afraid of and why is is necessary to weaken the code.  We are well aware that the Assembly is rife with conflicts of interest when it comes to a variety of issues.  Could this be the driver for the changes?

Below is a post from our website highlighting the ethics issue.

http://foms.net/archives/1601

Note:  Please consider contacting Assembly members and the mayor directly to voice your concerns.  If you can, please show up to testify in person at tonight’s meeting. If you are not able to be there please consider sending them an email.

 

For a list of Assembly contacts click the link below:

 

http://foms.net/borough-information/borough-contacts

 

Thank you for participating in our democracy!