Appointment of Members of Boards, Commisions, & Commitees

Click here to view the ordinance.

I have had a copy of this ordinance that I obtained via FOIA request for a few weeks but did not post it right away. I was expecting that the city's website would have been updated by now and people would be able to see who serves on these particular boards and commissions but it has yet to be updated on the city site so I will add it here.

I know that who serves on these boards and commissions is often a hotly contested issue for some citizens and the city council itself. I am not posting this here to stir the pot, that not my intention on any subject. People in town deserve to know who represents the populous on these boards and commissions and that info should be made readily available.

The vote on this ordinance was split 4-4 and the mayor made the vote that split the tie, as always. It was voiced at the meeting by an alderman who voted no that many of these appointments are of a political nature and do not represent a wide cross section of our community. I can maybe agree that a wider cross section of the population should be sought out possibly as a few names pop up on more than one committee, but I do not know if citizens failed to volunteer or if some volunteered and were turned away. There was not much discussion at the council meeting about specifics of any one person in particular or who would be better suited than those that were appointed, that is except for my appointment.

I talked with the alderman who singled me out and while I do not agree with their reasoning I respect their decision and hope that by my future service to the city on the board I was appointed to their view of me may change. No names were singled out as being appointed because of political ties including mine and I would hope none of the alderman who voted no viewed my appointment as falling into that category, as I honestly have no bias towards any alderman, they all do things from time to time, including the mayor, that I agree and disagree with.

I believe all of these board and commission meetings are open to the public and would encourage anyone to attend the meetings or contact someone on the board if they have a question, concern or idea for improvement related to it. It’s your town get involved and help make it better.