Try asking Town residents what their Town Council did during its summer vacation and you'd be greeted by blank expressions.
This response is the result of several factors:
1) The Council has a summer calendar which runs from June through September. During these four months the Council only schedules one joint regular and workshop meeting per month instead of the two separate meetings which it holds during the remainder of the year; and
2) While the Town does communicate by posts on its web site and via email blasts the agendas for each of the summer Council meetings by the Friday before each scheduled meeting, it provides the public with virtually no information about what occurred during each of the summer Council meetings.
For instance, this summer the Council held combined workshop and regular meetings on June 13th, July 11th, August 18th and September 12th. To date neither the video recordings nor the minutes of the respective meetings are available on the Town's web site.
Little Falls' residents have a right to know what its council discusses at each of its public meetings and the town has an obligation to ensure that the public is informed in a timely manner.
This coming November 8th Little Falls' residents will have an opportunity to vote for Mayor and two Council seats. Perhaps each of the candidates running for office will address this issue and will advocate for procedures that will foster greater transparency with respect to our Township's government.
Mr Korotkin's message has provided another good reason to elect a new mayor & council members this November. James Damiano is running for Mayor & is a current council member.He has consistently favored the need for greater transparency in our local government. Let's vote for needed change.
ReplyDeleteYes, on election day let's vote for needed change here in Little Falls.
ReplyDeleteWith all due respect to Concerned resident and Little Falls Voter, both political parties, and all the candidates should post comments stating their positions on this issue. Why are they silent?
ReplyDeleteI agree that more transparency and more accountability is absolutely necessary but all you have to do is look at the candidates. They have done nothing other than open their big mouths and criticized everything and they switch positions on many issues ( just like Hillary Clinton) they even lie to benefit themselves. I think it would be a step back and the township would be the real looser
ReplyDeleteFolks need to come out and vote. November 8th can bring in new leadership for Little Falls. Please vote.
ReplyDeleteAt the first meeting of the year in January, James Damiano complained about the scarcity of public meetings. He introduced a resolution to add additional meeting dates throughout the year, but the majority Republican council would not even give the motion a second. Therefore, the motion was never voted upon. James also have fought to restore the second comment period at public meetings, which was eliminated by the Republican council. The second comment period if for the public to comment on votes taken at the meeting and/or issues of concern to residents. James Damiano has been fighting for transparency since his election to the council, but gets nowhere with the Republican-majority council.
ReplyDeleteWhy are Republican council members not fighting for transparency?
ReplyDeleteWhy are Republican council members opposed to restoring a second public comment period at public meetings?
Why are Republican council members opposed to adding additional meeting dates through out the year?
Maybe they do not want to deal with the residents concerns. These oppositional council members are a joke & should never be reelected. Let's move on with real representation. Please vote for change !!!
ReplyDelete