Ed.note: I have reprinted this article rather than linked to it since it gets to the essence of open government during the budget season.
Janesville Annual Budget - You See What You Get
by Louis Kaye
During Monday’s Janesville City council meeting, a taxpaying citizen approached the podium and for the second time, asked the city council to allow permission for the council and administration meetings on the upcoming city budget be televised on the city’s public access cable channel JA-12. Nevertheless, the response from the council was extremely disappointing.
The resident, K. Andreah Briarmoon, made the original request a couple weeks ago explaining that JA-12 only needs one council member officially request for the broadcast. The city council president was the only member to respond directly to Briarmoon’s pointed request to which he replied, ”we haven’t discussed it.” For a moment there, it appeared as if Briarmoon was going to call out each council member in sitting order for their own response to her request, which would have been the proper thing to do considering they are all her representatives at-large. But she did not. Their silence was their only defense, it was deafening.
Equally predictable was the omission of this brief episode the following day in the Janesville Gazette. For a newspaper that has been relentlessly attacking the Janesville school board and union for secret negotiations, demands government openness and records at every turn, and editorialize often about our inherent right to communicate and participate with the people who represent us when they spend our tax dollars, the omission from their city hall reports came as no surprise. When it’s this close to home, no one…ummm…ahhh….. needs to know.
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Too bad that the notorious K. Andreah Briarmoon is involved. She is kind of a whack-job. Just do a google search and you will see.
ReplyDeleteI can see a difference between closed meetings and not wanting televison cameras present.
ReplyDeleteThe fact that Ms Briarmoon was making the request amy have had something to do with the chilly reception to her idea.
The persecution of Briarmoon made her what she is -- blessed are the cracked for they let in the light.
ReplyDeleteJust because she says it does not mean it is wrong and in fact she is usually right. When innocent people are crushed by power they are shocked - when they see homes taken and big money getting away with evil they cannot express charmingly what they feel so emotionally. Don't join the Gazette in demonizing Briarmoon. Learn from her.