First of all, A Merry Christmas to you all!
First of all, A Merry Christmas to you all!
Know that while I don’t always agree with you all, I do appreciate and do think about what you post. Ultimately, your involvement, your insights will make for better decisions for Port Orange.
All too long council has been spoon fed key information by the manager and staff. Very little alternative information has in the past been available to council. As one astute observer said, “if I control the information to a legislator, I have effectively controlled his vote.” Today, blogs such as this and voices such as yours are making a difference providing independent information, keep up the good work.
I have been advised by the Assistant City Attorney that council members should avoid participating in the blog. I have reviewed his analysis, and frankly I disagree on his premises/conclusions.
The Freedom of Information Act was not enacted to limit communication between an elected official and the public. What I will do however, to address his concerns is place a warning on any blog I author that port-orange council members should not respond to my post (to avoid initiating a discussion outside of a noticed meeting). I will also make a copy of my post and email it to my city email so there is a record of all posts that I make on the city website (in case the city needs to honor an FOIA request). All emails containing blog materials will be described by date, blog, and FOIA designation for search purposes.
Best, Bob Ford
As much of that ” spoon fed information ‘ is supplied in secret meetings with the Manager, And by your own logic regarding the value of independent citizen input will you likewise make the contents of those secret discussions known to your constituents so they may provide that valuable input on secret matters also ?
I for one am more than a little concerned with the disastrous state of proceedings in the Finance department, the role of the City’s Audit firm in those proceeding relative to their independence, AND what has been said to Council in your private briefings with the Auditor and the Manager and his staff – NONE OF WHICH HAS BEEN DISCLOSED TO THE PUBLIC.
DITTO for the communication you received from the Assistant City Attorney attempting to throttle your 1st Amendments rights to speak and blog, AND while you know what he communicated to you how do you know what he and the City Attorney and Manager may have has communicated to others most of whom we never hear from outside of Council.
Have they been successfully muted OR DO WE JUST HAVE A SECRET COUNCIL ??
And a merry Christmas to you too Bob. It is great having you as one of our council members because first of all your communication to your constituents and also for most of your stands on issues which I agree with. Best to you and family for this holiday and the New Year. — hank