Comments on: Council tables compensation issues

By: John McGlothlin

John McGlothlin — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 03:01:43 +0000

Vague proposition language leaves people to argue over what was approved. Second-guessing is different — what voters approved was clear but you think they are wrong. I agree that second-guessing is a slippery slope or downright undemocratic.

By: Jim

Jim — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 23:40:12 +0000

I think I voted for it in 2008 knowing what it meant, alhtough I’m not sure if I would still vote for it now. When you start second-guessing voters based on hunches and what you think they were thinking, it becomes a slippery slope.

By: B. Franklin

B. Franklin — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:51:58 +0000

Yep! Mr. McGlothlin, you nailed it quite accurately there.

It’s amazing what our City Council majority can convince themselves of.

By: John McGlothlin

John McGlothlin — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 13:05:20 +0000

Maybe Pam was making a joke at her last meeting — “clear message.” Your average voter who turned out for the Presidential election probably couldn’t tell you if coucil was paid or volunteer. When they read that compensation should be set in “public” and by “ordinance of .. council,” I am sure that sounded preferable to in secret or by whim of the Mayor. Clear language would have noted that council was moving from volunteer to paid with tax dollars and would have made clear that Council itself would determine its compensation. That would have been clear, but it might not have passed.

By: billygmoore

billygmoore — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 10:21:45 +0000

The pay discussion actually started back in the ’80’s, but like many a political hobby-horse, it continues to circle the show ring, each time with a new rider and an altered rationale. Think Sign Ordinance, Downtown Bar Ordinance, Residential Zoning Ordinance, Noise Ordinance–even the ancient discussion of whether our public safety personnel wanted the security of Civil Service, with its built-in inequities, or the riskier Employment by Contract–maybe fairer, but not so secure.

Whew! Next thing we know, the Wonder World cut to RR12 and Loop 110 will be brand new concepts instead of two-decade battles with UPAC and the State and others. So far, five environmental studies–esp. for endangered birds–and hardly a decision made except that both are necessary for SM not to choke on its own traffic. Not a bird found yet, to my knowledge. Same with CBD parking.

Hint: If it is critical for some reason that it be done, and if it is feasible, and if it won’t lead off a cliff, do it. If it doesn’t meet the critical needs test or the smell test, etc., don’t do it. Flirting is a waste of talent.