So here I am finally recovering from bronchitis, I learned that although I can’t type and cough at the same time I can make it to City Council meetings…my question is this, does anyone really care whether City Council is televised? It certainly isn’t as entertaining as the Monroe County Legislature, especially on a “good” Lej night, but I am wondering who besides my family is watching? Anyone who caught the last meeting please let me know. Don’t get me wrong, I fully support televising meetings, I am just wondering if anyone else cares. We (meaning the Democrats) pushed for televising Lej meetings — they shut down the referral at every chance. Their claim… its “too expensive”  the is “no cable access” outside the city and the big one “people will talk too much – act like asses —  act of for the camera”  take your pick it was essentially the you are jerks and will make us look like jerks defense (and you eat worms, I am pretty sure they often wanted to make us eat worms). So when the Dems put together their website — they said,  hey we can webcast meetings — same answer — can’t do it, too expensive etc….. Okay fast forward to election day 2007, Republicans nearly lose the majority their lack of transparency a major issue, the secretiveness….. guess what referral is going to the Legislature this month coming up? A Republican sponsored referral to webcast the meetings (thank you Travis Heider D, Brighton for your original referral) and posting minutes and agenda on the website (thank you Democratic Caucus for your website that did it first). Ummmmm what changed…. did it get cheaper? Are they less afraid of the Dems making them look like jerks?? Oh right they LOST two seats! They want to look more transparent!

Now what happens to this legislation in light of the last public safety meeting is a good question. It might get referred to the Administration never to see the light of the TV camera again — or they may figure out that enough people are filming the crazy stuff already they ought to just keep filming the rest.

Personally, I think its a good thing. I think the more you take away the mystery, the more access you give the public then the more responsive government will be. I think with a camera pointed on them, the Legislators (and City Council) will pay closer attention, be more interested, sound more eloquent — they will know someone — even if its just my mother — will be watching. We the public should support this proposal, and we should also tune in and make our thoughts known.

 ps:  Here’s another idea, let’s put cameras back in the Court Room too! What do you think?

Just before the holidays, the 28th Legislative District Committee (made up of grass roots committee people who are elected every two years) met to consider candidates to replace me on the County Legislature. Although the appointment is made by the Party Chair, Joe Morelle wanted input from the Committee and from the Caucus. The committee quickly reached a consensus in their recommendation to Joe Morelle. They were joined by Caucus Leader Harry Bronson  in longtime community activist Cindy Kaleh to be the Democratic Party’s pick to replace me as County Legislator for the 28th district.

Cindy is small business owner of a local company KalTech Support Team, Inc.  and currently president of the Maplewood Neighborhood Association (MNA). She has been active in  MNA, Sector 2 and in numerous other community initiatives over the years. She knows the district, both its challenges and its opportunities and will be a strong voice for the people in these neighborhoods. This is Cindy’s first bid for elected office and she is ready for the challenge. I know that I wish her well and have pledged to help her through the process.

A request has been made to appoint her in my place, and that will likely happen sometime between now and the next Lej meeting. In any event the Legislature President has 30 days to make the appointment. Cindy Kaleh will then have to run in a special election in November of this year. She will be good strong Legislature who has experience in challenging situations. Her voice will be most welcome by the Democratic Caucus!