I made the following comment in Kevin Harris's Neighbourhoods blog in response to his story "Why don't they do it in the roads". You can find his Blog on my sidebar. Kevin lives in London.
OPINION: Our City Council has been talking for years about occaisionally going out into the neighborhoods and conducting their meetings. Kevin, while this is not as informal as what you are suggesting, it does take our elected out from behind their towering diaz and imposing City Hall and into a less intimidating "gathering place" for community business. 45% of what Council converses in Public is about "process", "outcomes", and regurgition of Staff Powerpoint reports. Informal meetings outside the trappings of government structure could be refreshing and conducive to accelerating creative action. Regards, Bob Yoder, Redmond, WA. "Home of Microsoft", redmondblog.org
If you'd like to make a comment, Kevin will probably see them and may share your viewpoint with others in England.
Councilmember Kim Allen in particular (and I think Hank Margeson) has been a persistent advocate of occaisionally conducting official meetings outside of City Hall and bringing them to the neighborhoods.
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ReplyDeleteI am still working on it! We have the capability to broadcast remotely and I think this summer would be a great time to try a Council meeting at one of Redmond's great parks or at the Town Center.
I will be urging my colleagues to repeat the Talk to Your Council booth at Derby Days. Last year, we got to talk to lots of great people and heard some feedback on issues of concern to our citizens. We also heard the free Otter Pops were quite a hit!
I will also be headed into the neighborhoods on my own as soon as the weather clears a bit to doorbell folks and get an update on the issues Redmond cares about.
Stay tuned!
Kim, thanks for your efforts in reaching out to our communities. I look forward to following your campaign and wish you the very best. You are an excellent councilmember. Thank you for your invaluable contributions to our city and neighborhoods.
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