I keep hoping to see examples of an open and transparent council in Suffolk. Would anyone help explain why two of the agenda items for the December 16th work session will be held behind closed doors? Why is it important that the update on the Fairgrounds Redevelopment and Revitalization Project be held in secret? Why is it important that discussion related to the Obici House be held in secret? I just want to better understand the rationale here.
Friday, December 11, 2009
More Secret Meetings
I keep hoping to see examples of an open and transparent council in Suffolk. Would anyone help explain why two of the agenda items for the December 16th work session will be held behind closed doors? Why is it important that the update on the Fairgrounds Redevelopment and Revitalization Project be held in secret? Why is it important that discussion related to the Obici House be held in secret? I just want to better understand the rationale here.
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Because they can and want to! That has always been their rational. The powerful like our mayor can so they will. They do not need anyone sticking their noses into the mayor's business, just ask the manager!
There are no consequences for closed door meetings. Face it they'll just keep on doing what they please because no one can tell them otherwise. If only there was a councilman or EDA appointee with a thread of guilt who would say no more closed doors and no back room deals.
The City has fumbled the ball on the Fairgrounds due to an inattentive administration. Word on the street is that City Council is getting greedy and now wants too much money for the land. I remember reading somewhere that there was a federal deadline for having the project complete. When exactly is that deadline and will the City meet their obligations??? Of course the meeting will be held behind closed doors so they can find a way to spin the situation to serve themselves. I wonder who will be the scapegoat this time around!
There is no manical plan in city hall to exclude public information, only extreme ineptitude. The whole scene reminds me of what theologian Douglas Wilson calls "The Gadarene Swine Rule." Just because a group is in formation, the rule observes, doesn't mean they know where they are going.
Does anyone really believe that the people who run our city are smart enough to even have a plan, other than to say no to everything and see what happens?
Of course not!
When a ship is in danger of sinking a damage control team is called to mitigate the damage, flooding or gain time before it sinks. Its up to you to decide which one it is and how effective the team is. Please join me on the boat deck with a lifepreserver on and we'll abandon this wreak for dry land up in North Suffolk.
Secret Suffolk Meetings are becoming a true embarasment to the council and city manager. Not so much for the fact that they want to hide the facts from the people, but because they are under fire for doing so mush under wraps all the time. What could they have that is so demanding that the "Obici House" must be discussed in closed session MADAME MAYOR!!?? When most normal persons are faced with such a situation they backup and reflect on their actions, but not our own here in Suffolk. They look for ways to hide even more and the snowball gains momentum as it runs downhill and scoops up even more and more people and facts to hide behind closed doors.
Just because someone like the manager or lawyer can find a meaning that allows the Mayor and her council to go into closed session, does not mean that they should. Is there no one on council to call them on this farce and force them to be more open with the business of the people? We have a new lawyer on council, Mr. Barclay. HE should know better and should have the gumpsion to demand that the business of the people he stated he ran to support, is done in the open. IF he does not Why and for what reason!?
Time to do the right things here Mr. Barclay, if you really do want to represent me! What do you have to say and more importantly, what will you demand on this important issue?
These people keep doing whatever they please because no one has told then they can't or at least shouldn't. They have drawn everyone they need into their inner circle and rewarded their loyalty with high salaries and absolute power. They forbid all city officials to speak to the press except through the city mouthpiece "or else" and have gotten rid of anyone who won't tow the line. They maintain control thru fear and intimidation.
We elected these bozos and now we suffer the consequences. They will continue until we unelect them. We have an opportunity to unseat four of them this year. If we unseat at least two (downtown and holy neck) we will succeed in breaking up the unholy alliance that has gotten this city into the mess it is in. Maybe then we will see the real meaning of transparency in government and Downtown can get back on track and sweetheart deals will become a thing of the past. Don't let them "buy" another election. Show them that the citizens of Suffolk won't be bought. Stand up and be counted or never again complain about the "way things are".
Maybe the purpose of the closed session is to make both sides disclose who their backers are, their experience and financial backing and any conflicts of interest they would have with the labor to be performed or the future grill restaurant. The Suffolk News paper claimed to make a disclosure for the ladies, but anyone who downloaded it was hit in the face by the deliberate "blanks" inserted for the names and resumes of their backers. The same point relates to the firemen, although they seem to have the advantage in public sentiment.
It would help the ladies and their group if their supporters would stop attacking the City and the firemen. If they had not been so aggressive, I suspect the City would have been more supportive of the ladies and the Sister Cities.
I don't think we should impeach Mr Barclay. He's a fine man and isn't hiding behind anonymous nasty letters to force the girls in the "hysterical society" to get their "all or nothing, and for free with no consequences if we fail or don't reveal our names" way with the Obici buildings. Make them show what they've done to support the Obici name with the Planters workers and their families, the hospital operations, the Health Foundation, or even the Hall Place neighborhood which many of its residents consider to be a tribute to Obici.
The real question here is whether you think the Obici House needs a true all out historical restoration worthy of the man who gave Suffolk so much during his lifetime and after his death or, you think it is sufficient to do a basic renovation that will curtail any further deterioration and perhaps give a few more years of life to the ailing structure.
It is my opinion that the city officials favor the second option because that will serve their purpose best. In the short term the house will be "saved" but in the long term it will fall prey to what the mayor and some on council have wanted all along...the wrecking ball.
“Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere.” ~Albert Einstein There is no end to the scams they can imagine only to how long we let them get away with it.
Compared to what's happened downtown the O-House is not that bad but is getting worse with every drop of rain. The key issue is the financing and how to recover costs by a tenent, tax credits, etc.. The secondary issue is the politics and back room deals. Take care of the first and the second should fall in place. If there is a stalemate the third option is the weatherization and stabilization of the structures until better economic times. The fourth is demolition and the associated consequences however big or small they are. Surprisingly during the Christmas House tour last week not so much as a peep from the Dawson House not even from a mouse.
The last comment takes the cake and, at least in my opinion, makes it clear that thes CPOH ladies and Mr Standish supporters have reached a new low in attacking the "Dawson house."
These ditsy ladies with huge imaginations and delusions of self-importance started by with an empty proposal to get the city to donate free a $1700000 building (their number) and they would do improvements in that amount (with no financial backing) to make the site worth $3400000 (their number).
Then the project no projected rental income and no expenses for this new albatross, probably what they designed to be the most expensive headquarters for a group of fanatics, a souvenir ship selling Italian items(a popular item with our World War II vets), and a grill that will be coming from "downtown" that is the "best" restaurant "ever."
Then they attack the Council generally, Mr Barclay, Mayor Johnson, City Manager Selena, the Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts, the Obici Foundation and its directors directly, the firemen, a number of their critics writing into the blogs and papers, and now, the "Dawson house, " the headquarters and staff of The Suffolk Nansemond Historical Society.
I think the SNHS, like Riddick's Folly, deserves an apology from the weirdo who attacked it above. Without the leadership and blessing of Sue Woodward of the SNHS, I doubt these weird, arrogant ladies with Miles as their herdsman would ever even get one vote from council or the leaders of the other groups they attack openly and shamefully, sometimes even challenging the public to "prove" who their anonymous writers are.
There are real an d valid reasons to write anonymously here as the crowd down on Market Street do hold grudges and get even when they can. The comments that the mayor has a plan for condos, is true. She has a plan that can line her pockets as usual and we all know how that works. The council including Barclay are either stupid or compliant with her wishs and that is fact. If Barclay wants to step out of such a dark shadow as cast by the mayor, he can, but woun't. This action alone speaks volumes for his intent to lead, or rather, no lead.
The comments about a fine gentleman like Miles Standish, who has only worked to serve this City is terrible. He has lent his tallents to this community and this effort as a real asset to the community. He has no means to line his pockets like th Mayor and others attached by the hip to her. She is the real villian here and we all know that!
Lets clear the air and see an open discussion of saving the O-House now. If you don't want it say so and why!
I was horrified to read there are mice in the Dawson House. One can excuse a roach or two as a lost forager even a fly seeking a warm abode. But perhaps there was another message in that comment that went over the reader's head. In that case let it be, as there is little that person can offer. Alas yet another reason why downtown is what it is. Weirdos dressing up as dead people from the past. It's funny they criticize but were never there to stop the demolition of so many historic buildings right in downtown.
Let's face it ... we are living the socialist dream at the city level. Johnson and her band of class clowns ... will continue to believe they are not public servants but rather the public serves them and their abuses. They can continue to hide behind closed doors but 4 of them are up for re-election in 2010 and we have the power to change the back room deals and vote the buggers out of office. Let's unite and call Johnson, Parr and the rest to the carpet and hold them personally accountable for their lies about a more open government and transparency. I still have Linda's election brochure where she stated two things --- she is conservative and she is for a more transparent government. If we get lucky, Obama will hire her into his administration.
Next time Johnson runs she'll do another DNC sponsored mailing claiming to be a retired Astronaut, Nobel Peace Prize Winner, Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient, Beautified for Sainthood by the Pope, and an all around good person that likes dogs and horses. Suffolk's government schooled linear family tree nitwits will believe every word because they don't care and can't think for themselves.
There is more to Mayor Johnson than some writers provied in this blog. While I read many comments about what is wrong, where are they when it comes time to put these people out of office here in little Suffolk? It really only takes a few active people to make a difference, but almost everyone stays home and buries their heads' in the sand until it is time to complain about how bad it has gotten. My question to you is: what exactly will you do in the next election cycle to make things different than they have usually turned out to be here in town? Will you be out there proving help, money and time to get some new people on council to get a better government? Your past says no, but that can change if you chose so!
Mayor Johnson is only doing what the majority of you asked her to do. That is protect her/your view over that of all of the rest of us, even if it is just wrong. We now have Mayor Johnson for another three years there is no doubt, but if you can get her buddies off of council (Parr, Milteer, and Gardy) you will then be able to change how she runs the city. Until then, nothing will change and most business will be done behind closed doors and in secret, just because it is easier for her and them. Secret Meetings will continue to go on until there is someone on council that calls their bluff and asks why so many mettings and issues must be held behind closed doors and out of earshot of the people they purport to represent. So look no further that your own doorstep for the mechinisum of change in the status-quo. Now will you?
If there is a real grassroots movement to find Conservative/Moderate candidates for council - to replace those libs we have now, then the draft movement should start here.
Let's find ELECTABLE, INTELLIGENT, and PRAGMATIC candidates that have either a proven record OR the right idea.
I like Powell to battle Parr. I think Calvin Jones should be contacted about a rematch against Gardy.
What about J. David Gray, the young conservative that ran in Chuckatuck 4 years ago for Barlow's seat?
The last comment is spot on. the citizens of Suffolk need to revolt and take our city back. We need 8 qualified candidates that truly embrace conservative values and are not afraid to make the right votes on key issues that effect our everyday lifes as residents. As long as we are complacent, Linda and her council will continue to make bad decisions and conduct their business behind close doors and be required to state why they are taking the position they are on any given issue. We are going to continue to part of the socialist city government that continues to tax, spend and redistribute our income to others under questionable circumstances. We need to unite and take back our city!
Let there be a "closed door" meeting and have a recall. I suggest sny of the golf courses especially Sleepy Hole be the site. Many of todays issues were created at them.A public forum at SHGC would be fitting
What are you people doing? Encourage Linda and the boys to continue to raise property taxes, city fees, charges while reducing services. Let them make more of those sweetheart deals to pocket whatever they can get. Everything else has failed so its time to change tactics. We need to encourage more bad behavior to prove a point. Maybe then the thinking voter will realize how bad it's become.
how true it is. Mayor Linda has turned my little town into a sesspool of coruption and negelect. Parr is just as bad and I do like the idea of electing Mr. Powell to council. I do hope that he runs for the seat and can count upon huge support!
This is wake up call ... Tom Powell has an identiy crisis. He showed up last year at the only Suffolk Republician Pary meeting and got his butt beat by Deborah Wahlstrom in a legitimate debate. He paid his dues that night and has never participated in any meetings nor volunteered his time to support our organization. You might think he is a good guy and I might too but let's face the facts ... he got a sweet heart deal from the city to take property that was taxed at $200k and got it for $42K ... whose pocket is this guy in?
I agree Tom is a good guy but not ready to box in the heavy weight division. In the Mayoral election it was obvious he was woefully unprepared to discuss specific issues. He kept saying how nice Suffolk is, his family are active in the community and his church. These are positive attributes but do not demonstrate he has thought out how to solve the problems of our city. He has family money behind him and that'll help if he runs.
If he goes mano-a-mano with Charles Parr he'll be giving up reach, weight and experience. I'd give the decision to Parr on a TKO.
The fat man (Parr) may have all that, but he is almost always on the bad side of things by standing with Mayor Johnson, not to mention he could not run down the block without having a heart-attack! If she trips he will get hit for sure. I hope that a good candiate does step forward in all four races, but I am willing to support any one but an incumbent and so should you!
Wahlstrom is an intreging candiate, but when have the republicans ever been a force of decision in Suffolk Politics other than Jones? Even he supported Powell in the last race, until it got tight with the underlings. At least if they had supported Powell in the mayors race we might not be saddled with Johnson right now! I say run almost anyone and they will be better than Parr and company and I hope to vote for someone else this coming year in our little downtown Suffolk. So I say get behind Powell now and help change where Suffolk is going! If not Powell, who else that got more than single digits in the last race? Get real and help get rid of Parr!
I'm not a member of a Republican club, but I vote Republican most of the time. To be considered a Republican, you shouldn't have to belong to a private club;those are comprised of Rockefeller Republicans.
I don't know much about the Suffolk Republicans. I met their leader once several years ago, she seemed nice.
I consider myself a Conservative first, and Republican second. I'm too busy to join extra organizations. I can sympathize/empathize with the "regular Joe Republicans". If Tom - who is a downtown business owner (in a bad recession, no less) didn't have time to become a partisan in a non-partisan race, then I can't find fault in him. He may not have had a lot of extra time and resources.
Here is the situation: America is facing assault from within from Liberal leaders in ALL levels of government. Now should not be the time to fight over who is and is not in the party "in crowd"-that is how we got Dede Scazzafava in NY-23 and that is why we now have the liberal Congressman Bill Owens. It's how we got stuck with McCain over Romney and wound up with Obama. (see the connection?)
We need to find candidates that are known quantities, can raise funds/self-fund and are electable. They should not have to pass a Conservative litmus test with a 100% score, but should be a bona fide conservative/moderate-conservative. Candidates should be chosen by the content of their character, not by being popular with the elites.
Let's remember Reagan's 11th Commandment and not speek ill of other Republicans. I would expect party leaders/members of party groups to adhere to that belief and not be hypocritical (another reason for not joining a Republican club). If Tom spoke before your local Republican club, then he is a Republican.
If Suffolk Republicans wanted to find a GOP candidate, then why not do like Va Beach did. In Va Beach, they had a "fire house primary" betweem MacWaters and Wilson. All the Republicans in the city had the opportunity to choose their nominee, not just the top leaders.
I did not vote for Parr in 2006, and I will not vote to re-elect him in 2010. I feel as if Tom is conservative, a known quantity active in many non-partisan organizations and electable.
I do however, thank all conservative/republican candidates that have run in Suffolk in recent years. It wasn't a splendid time to be a republican. I salute Deb Wahlstrim and Jay Clason.
Please excuse the lengthy post as it was my first of what will hopefully be many.
Thank you, Inside Suffolk, for providing a superb forum for open government.
You have to start out somewhere. Not everyone is going to have an extremely lengthy resume` starting out.
Some of our greatest mayors: Damiani, Barnett, Jones, Underwood, they were all beginners at some point. We have to give people a chance.
I remember the first city council elections of the new, consolidated city many years ago. We had our doubts then, but in the end, we had some great councilmen!
I'd like to see a new Damiani, Barnett or Jones to take the reins.
Good words of wisdom about electing leaders and not politicians as we have in the past. Parr is nothing but a politician and should not be supported, at all. I do like the ideas and acions of Powell and hope mightily that he decides to run and that all of you get off your duffs and do help him to win! Seems like we are awakening the sleeping giant of conservative thought in this entire country and we need it in Suffolk terribly too!
Re: Riverview Conservative
I so agree with you. I am a conservative first and a Republican second. I know we've got terrific conservatives in our city - let's find them and encourage them to run! As a conservative, what I look for is someone who will get a handle on spending and not do things that take away from my liberties. I don't need someone else to make decisions for me as I can think for myself. I want someone who is not afraid to reign things in when needed - and I also appreciate someone who values his or her family. I have a high regard for those who own their own businesses and would like someone who will understand their concerns. I also want someone who "gets it" when it comes to being open and transparent. This person should also be able to see things from a variety of perspectives - and ideally, know how to use data to make decisions. I agree that the person does not need to be part of the Republican party at all - but if there are conservatives out there, they would be welcomed to help rebuild the party in our area. Even if these people don't attend meetings, we'd love to have their views via emails and other communications - so if you know someone who can make a difference, we would love to get to know them.
For local elections, candidates run as independents, but for me - I'll always lean toward the conservative who is running.
I think Inside Suffolk is a great forum to begin to suggest people for upcoming elections. Our readers likely know people from all political beliefs - and I sure would like to hear from them all. What does everyone else think about this?
Whoever you are Riverview - come back often and share your thoughts.
what actions and decisions has powell made that have been good? He doesn't seem to have a grasp on city issues.
Given the actions of people like Parr, Powell looks so very good to me. I do not need a perfect candiate that knows it all, it is more important to get someone like Powell that is a good person first, and willing to work to grow into the positon. Right now we have people in authority and making decisions that are doing so based on what they want and what serves their own needs first, not ours'.
So the claim that you somehow have to have a full understanding of all the detailed issues of the city to be a candidate for council is a farce! A good person like Powell can grow into the job, but a creature like Parr will never change his spots!
It is imperative that we all encourage good spirited people to run for office here in Suffolk and forget this demand made by some to only support only the "perfect candidate"! That kind of stupid thinking is what got us all into the mess we are now in here in Suffolk Where they are planning to teardown the Obici House rather than let anyone rehab it. So get out and support a person like Mr. Powell and make a positive change in Suffolk by throwing the bums out, for once!
I'm just worried about the city, state and nation that my grandson is going to be left with.
We now have McDonnell to fix Va. We need someone to step up to fix Suffolk next.
Is backing Powell the best we can do for downtown? Is there no one else that is more knowledgable, better prepared and capable? All I'm hearing is he's a nice guy, great, does this anointing make him our savior?
The last annointed one was Obama and look what he's done for America. I would much rather see a candidate that will not hold his punches. One that iss ready to draw the attention of the dazed or rain dead voters in Suffolk with a hard hitting campaign based on issues, results and fiscal restraint. Powell just doesn't have it in him.
Who already on council knows what the city really needs? Gardy, Milteer, Brown, or any of the others? I would state that Mr. Powell is a step above any of these others, in my humble opinion. It has obviously never been a requisite to have much knowledge of how the City works to stand for a seat on council. And yes being a good person is in my mind the first step in the process.
I am looking for fresh ideas, not jsut the same old tired and slefish people all the time. Powell is a better pick than anyone I have seem discussed yet! So lets hear of all these "Qualified" candidates in your mind to run against Parr, or are you stating that PArr should get another pass? That is a truely bad idea!
Powell would be picked apart by the Piranahs or easily swayed. He is unfamiliar of the goings on Market Street. Consequently he will be left out to dry by the others, unsupported by the inner workings of a Byzantine Administration and abandoned by the media. Further Johnson is no slouch when it comes to manipulating council members into seeing it her/their way. When he was elected Parr came into office with eyes wide open.
It's backbone we need. Someone with the guts to say NO. A city savy person who can take hold of the issues in a open forum. A leader rather than a follower. A Conservative in a sea of Democrats.
Like the Sarah Palin's followers it would be unfair to potential candidates to name names at this time. They are out there and sseriously thinking about a run. Lets not smother the possibility there is another person probably better prepared to represent Downtown and Suffolk.
DC naming anyone to run against an incumbent at this early stage is like painting a target on their back, their business and family. Not smart.
I agree that it is to soon to name names, but we need to get Parr out of there. He has done little of value for anyone by himslef and that is clear for all to see. The Mayor has manipulated him like a puppet and you are right he has no backbone at all. I too live in the downtown area, I admit only for two years, but I am ashamed of how Mr. Parr represents me by his action so far. I would be willing to support almost anyone but him! he is a boil on the but of Suffolk and we need to lance the infection now! I only wish we could do it sooner, but will support anyone else that steps forward. IT IS TIME TO THROW THE BUMS OUT!
Tom Powell for a council seat? Why? To immature and what can he bring to the table, religion?
We had it good when Tom Woodard was aboard. He kept the check and balance system on course. People were intimidated by his knowledge, frankness, and his caring for this city. Somebody brought up Cavin Jones, you know, he was good for this city too.
The secret meetings going on are about the 2010-11 budget. Tax revenue is down and will drop again next year. So look for our little girl Ms. Seward to advance new sources of revenue, fees, charges and more hidden taxes.
Next month council will hold public meetings on the budget not to solicit feedback from constituents but to measure the level of resistance to bigger government. Boycott or otherwise refrain from comment. Let them hang themselves don't give them an excuse when they debate their actions and opponent in a truely open forum.
Aren't those open and transparent Democrats on our city council something else?
Well, enjoy! they were your pick. Many of us worked hard to get Tom Powell or another in office only to find that the backroom deals were already set. We all diserve to suffer a little more by our inactions and inattentativeness to the home politics. We get to suffer another year with Parr, Johnson, Brown, Milteer, and Gardy. So look into the mirror to blame who is responsible for our lot in life here in Suffolk. There are only a very few who can claim they tried, were you one of them? If not, what will you do in the coming year to make it different? That will tell how much longer the losers will have ahold of our city and can ruin it with their self-serving policies. I remember when Charles Parr came to me and asked for my support. He told me that he would take a solid business approach to the city's business, just like he ran his own affairs. Well that is not how it was. His first and sttongest efforts out of the gate was to get his porperty rezoned near my house on Turlington Road and to pocket hundreds of thousands of dollars in profit by using his position as a new city councilman. While I have no problem with anyone making a deal, to get elected and use us all speaks volumes on his ethics and I will never forget it! The best thing he and his friend the mayor can do is just go away and not bother the rest of us by constantly raising taxes anymore. Parr has been a huge disapointment and people know what I speak of! Has anyone noted that Parr or Gardy are the usual ones that call for the closed mettings? Enough said on this troubleing subject.
Merry Christmas to one an all and I only ask Santa for a new city council this next year!!!!!!!!!!!!
To the Downtowners may your taxes be low, your property values be high, and your contentment be full throughout the year. Have a Very Merry KazaMasKah ya'all.
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