Power to the People to be Heard!

Your attention is invited to an item on this coming Monday's NLR City Council Meeting Agenda that merits our gratitude to Ward 3 Alderman, Cary Gains and Ward 1 Alderwoman, Debi Ross. Under New Business Resolutions they are the sponsors for "Resolution R-08-140 - A Resolution Establishing The Rules Of Procedure For Citizen Commentary At City Council Meetings; And For Other Purposes." In reading this resolution we find: 'Whereas, the City Council desires to afford citizens a meaningful opportunity to be heard regarding issues to be decided by the Council and the present procedures often overlook those people with an interest in a particular issue', and "Whereas, the Council prefers for all voices wishing to be heard on an agenda item be heard before the vote upon the item." The key words spoken here is "before the vote"! It should be noted that this proposed resolution to allow public comment on agenda items "shall exclude those items set for public hearing where public comment is already allowed".

Based on current NLR City Council's rules of conduct the public hearing comments are one directional, meaning the speaker can present their position points and questions to the Council, however the Council is not required to respond in turn with their answers, comments or subsequent questions for and to the speaker. Thus it would appear that the provision for a 'Town Hall Meeting" is the only opportunity to have a give and take on an issue being considered. And we know that town hall meetings are now scarce in most Wards, and the lead time to pull one together would be very limited given the fact that public notice for many resolutions and ordinances only appear approximately two weeks in advance as Council agenda items to be read and processed.

However we must still applaud Gaines and Ross in their efforts to involve the citizens of North Little Rock in this fine example of our democracy being exercised 'by the people and for the people'. Yes, it is understood that passing Resolution R-08-140 will result in slowing down the tempo for Council's passage on resolutions and ordinances, perhaps reducing the rate of 'suspending the rules and declaring an emergency' to expedite the legislative process, and may even result in longer times for Council Meetings to be completed. All are admirable consequences to allow democracy to be fully exercised at our NLR City Council's proceedings!

To Alderman Gains & Alderwoman Ross, thank you for making a difference for the benefit of all citizens of North Little Rock. Hopefully your resolution will prompt more communications to take place between all citizens and their Alderpersons on pending legislative matters. With great anticipation we will be with you at City Hall on Monday or watching on Comcast Channels 4 or 18 as you introduce this most important resolution for the full Council's consideration and vote May it be so!