Posted Aug 30, 2008 at 9:57 AM
I've always been kind of amazed that more items don't find their way on to the ballot. New taxes, new recreation venues, new (or old) roadways/trails/parks, whatever the subject, the Town(s)/County should use this once a year opportunity to get the citizens' input more often. I'm also amazed that here in VA, that the lowest level of municipality (Towns) have more authority to act without oversight than any other level (County, City or State). I still cannot find where the Towns have to report their tax collections too?
Great stuff...a lot that I haven't considered. Thank you!
Posted Aug 30, 2008 at 12:20 PM
I just want to be able to find out what is going on without being treated like an idiot.
I'll keep doing the best I can to keep you informed. I have great hopes that the Town's new webpage will provide a lot of the information that I currently post on the website.
Posted Aug 30, 2008 at 8:42 PM
Being told for years that someone is hired to do the web site and seeing it sit idle and information deliberately restricted doesn't give one much hope. Even with a good employee group working on it you stillhave someone "leading" it who plays with information and uses it as a control power. It is more political posturing than real intent to be open. Watch and see and look for what you don't really get. May look pretty but will it have substance? We'll see.
Posted Aug 31, 2008 at 12:24 PM
...with the speed of computers and easy to use surveying tools, to have the Town use "instant" polling on issues that are coming up before Council. I imagine they could get some good valid info from a few simple questions to the citizens who can either submit from home/work or go to the library and use their equipment. Blacksburg does some surveying and polling, but not enough in my opinion. Christiansburg does ZERO. The bloggers again one uping a Town with a budget of over $40 Million!
Excellent idea. In order to be truly effective, I think they would also have to initiate one other change. As it is now, the Planning Commission meets to discuss an issue on Monday afternoon. The public hearing is set approximately 27 hours later on the next day, Tuesday. Immediately followed by Town Council Action that same night. Now, just how much time does this leave the citizens to look at the issues or ask questions???? Given that most people have jobs and families, no a whole heck of a lot!!! I think this is a grave disservice to the citizens of Christiansburg. If you don't want citizens to participate, this is a great way to do it. If you want to present as an open, concerned government, that truly cares about the rights of citizens, you would hold the Planning Commission meeting a week or two before, then have the public hearing. This would allow the interested citizens to look at the situation and form their own decisions, rather than have government telling them what is important. Government should be inclusive not exclusive. Elected bodies are not some special club .... Citizens may decide not to participate but Government should not be seen as actively taking steps to prohibit participation the way the current situation does.
Posted Aug 31, 2008 at 10:28 PM
It is apparant that one of two things is happening in C'burg's Town Government (both at staff and elected levels). Either the Town is capable of doing these things and refuses to do them, in which case they need to move out of the way or they are incapable of doing these things, in which case they either need to step it up or step it out.