COUNCIL'S MONDAY NIGHT

What a welcome relief from the perturbing events of the last few days to the mundane life in Oz. The Council’s agenda setting session once again illustrated the uniqueness of Ozian political/civic life.

As expected the Mayor submitted a list of nominees for various boards. All will be on the Agenda for approval at the initial business meeting Jan.3, 2013. All were for reappointment of individuals that were already serving on the boards which included the Planning Board and the Zoning Board.

Councilor Storch did question why there were no new names and the City Solicitor in his role as Corporation Counsel replied that experience was a valuable asset.  Councilor Williams noted that there should be an infusion of new talent periodically when appointments were made to involve more citizens into civic affairs.

I concur with her comments since I also feel that the more people that have an impact in the community the better that municipality is. Also it is known that prolong office holding tends to increase power and as the saying goes “power corrupts”. For that reason I think that term limitations should be applicable to all board positions as well as political office.

There was a prolong discussion about the two nominees to the Library Board, in view of the Administrations demonstrated anti-Library position as reflected in the past few proposed budgets. 

There was absolute confusion about the composition of the Board regarding number of members. As a result action on these two will be deferred pending complete information.

 A big surprise was the Mayors request to withdraw at this time action on her appointment of Cecil Sanders to the PMUA as a full member. No reason was given since with the now pro mayor balance on the Council for 2013 there should be no objection to any of the Mayors appointments. Perhaps this was due to knowledge that Mr. Sanders was going to speak at the public comment session object to the Council’s withhold addition payment for a contract his company had been awarded on the demolition of a property on Leland Ave.

At the Mayor’s request, and possibly influenced by the Newtown massacre it was voted to move the agenda setting session to the Court Room where the metal detector device could be used. Despite objections to parking limitations since will be put on the agenda.

It was not until the Public Comment period that this meeting reached the criterion that is consistent with the standards set in Oz. Three members of the public; Ozella Brundidge, Rev. Jason Greer, and  Kim Montford  spoke in favor of Councilwoman Rivers to be Council President in 2013.

Rev Greer went as far as to make some inappropriate personal  remarks about Councilor Williams; who had previously made known her desire for the position. Before the session closed both Reid and Eke had announced support for Rivers. Will 2013 be a return to the Gibson years?

Traditionally the Council makes its selection after closed session discussion. The office is one chosen by the Council membership and not by public vote.  The Presidency reflects the Councilors opinion and respect of one of its own. 

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Never before to my ken has there been public electioneering.

Finally Thursday (12/20/12) at 6pm the Council will hold s special meeting to act on the Mayor’s as expected veto of the 3 ‘Carnival Ordinances”. Since it takes a super-majority of five (5) to override the veto; one guess as to the results.