While the Charter Commission is an autonomous board, some councilors felt the council should approve the letter because the city is paying to mail it out. Councilors on Monday asked the commission to take out large chunks of the letter, including specifics phrases quoting the charter.

We’ve had other discussion on the Charter here.

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Alex Beeby says when the Charter Commission meets Tuesday he will recommend it sit down with the city council to work through several councilors’ concerns. The commission chair said he believes the commission needs to steer clear of the controversy that’s enveloping Northfield. “I think it’s what we need to do,” he said.

Two communications from the Charter Commission were tabled for further study. One was an information item informing the council that the commission would send a letter to residents in the next city utility bill mailing. Councilman Cashman explained that the commission is not an advisory board or commission. It is considered an independent political subdivision and doesn’t go through the same channels as other boards.  He said the council has a responsibility for what goes out in the water bills. (The League had gone to the commission to suggest that they and the League work together to inform the public of the charter’s contents. The commission took on the job of drafting the letter. The League may work on  additional ways to educate the citizens about this document.)

The other commission request was for answers to questions about whether the City has violated the charter, whether the charter is clear or unclear and needs amendment. The issue arose when a citizen, Dave Maroney, appeared before the commission alleging that the city had violated portions of the charter in hiring as City Engineer a shareholder and employee of a company which was doing road construction for the city. At issue is whether the commission has authority to take on matters like this one. An advisory letter from City Attorney Swanson was mentioned, but not seen by the observer,  which said it was outside the authority of the commission.

 Kathy E. Tezla, president of the League of Women Voters Northfield/Cannon Falls, has a letter to the editor in today’s Nfld News.

Our recent initiative with the Northfield Charter Commission, suggesting that the commission write a letter to the public encouraging residents to become familiar with the content of the charter and ordinances, is part of that ongoing commitment. The LWV plans follow-up opportunities for community education about government issues in the coming year with the goal of promoting the kind of informed political involvement on which a healthy democracy depends.

And for reference, Charter Commission Chair Alex Beeby appeared on our Locally Grown radio show/podcast last November. 

Use the play or forward/back buttons in the upper right corner to scroll thru the scanned copies of the documents.

Take this last Saturday’s editorial. I read a hint of “threat” in there… did anyone else, or was it along the lines of being a good citizen?

“Congratulations, and good luck. Because, rest assured, we will hold you and your colleagues accountable.”

At least I wondered if they would have said the same thing if Ray would have won.

I have been critical of what I perceive to be their bias, and on two issues re: their website ( 1. the initial problem of a hyperlink opening to each e-mail address of a submitter of comment and 2. their permission of anonymous on-line comment submissions, when that is not allowed policy on letters to the editor).

Why don’t you do it?, especially since it was your link…….

A letter from city attorney Maren Swanson to members of the Charter Commission could signal the start of yet another political tug-of-war. In a Dec. 21 letter, Swanson tells commission members that their request for answers pertaining to city engineering contracts is outside the commission’s scope and that she has recommended that the council not respond to the questions expected to come before it Monday night.

I think the words which raise a serious questions here are “unusual”, “independent”, and “no oversight”.

Further on in the article this statement appears: “While other city boards and commissions have sent similar mailings without getting council approval, Roder said it’s the charter commission’s independence that necessitates the oversight.”

The charter commissions “independence that necessitates the oversight”…
Hmmm… sounding a little like 1984 , and we are sooo way past that; at least I had thought so.

Does this concern about “independence” mean that all other boards and commissions are not independent thinkers… No way! I am very proud of the fact that NF has all these citizen boards and Commissions; that reflects the level of involvement people in this town wish to have, in order to keep citizens’ strongly held values in front of the community, and its city council.

I strongly hope that this council “review” does not impact negatively on either the council’s credibility, or that of this court appointed body of diligent citizens.

Just so it “fits” the thread… there is also an amendment to the hospital section of the charter on the agenda tonight. The council must approve it unanimously for it to be adopted; two options if they do not unanimously approve,send it back to charter commission, or charter commission can take it to public vote.

Not ever thinking of putting words in Alex Beeby’s mouth - still, in a very casual conversation I had with Alex - I believe he said (or implied) - his reading of LG has tapered off due to its mass of material he found not too interesting… (NOT TOO INTERESTING - are my words)

In any event, I definitely felt Alex was saying to me, “the information he received… was not worth the time necessary to follow LG”.

I’m not saying this to put LG down - not at all. I wouldn’t have to quote another, to make my charge on the blog… but, He’s busy, works, goes to school, has kids (2 or is it 3?) and simply is not at this time allocating any of his spare spare-time, to follow LG threads as they meander on or off course.

As one casually stands in line waiting for a subway, perusing the News is easier, than a read of LG. That makes sense.

Nothing sinister here - simply a best use of time, decision.

As we’ve read, Alex commented to the N’Fld News in response to an article they published - correcting information the News felt compelled to disperse.

What perhaps is interesting to note -sociologically speaking, is, the usual suspects who comment on LG… are seldom seen in print in the Nfld News Opinion pages… and as Kiffi often points out… seldom appear at the City Council’s Open mic, giving credence to Griff’s sense: many have something to say - but evidently feel uncomfortable saying it in public. Hmmmmm?

Perhaps as another thread explored, there’s fear of the public’s wrath.

And please, don’t say it was not the “public” who was there; It was the public, as represented by those citizens of this community who chose to come and listen in person, or to speak. For those who choose to say the public who speaks, speaks not for them … well, then show up and speak for yourself.
Thank you.

I could not help think of our education system when I read this article. With so much focus on academic achievment in our public schools, it is good to remember that there are also other qualities we need to encourage in our children.