WPCNR MR. & MRS. & MS. WHITE PLAINS VIEWS. December 6, 2005: Dennis Power who campaigned for Mayor on a plank of open government among other issues addressed the Citizens to be Heard portion of the Common Council meeting Monday night calling for moving work sessions to the larger Common Council Chamber. His remarks:
To: Mayor Joseph Delfino
and Members of the White Plains Common Council
From: Dennis Power
Date: December 5, 2005
Re: Common Council Work Sessions
I recommend that all meetings of the White Plains Common Council referred to as “Work Sessions” heretofore be convened in the Council Chambers.
Over the past six months I have attended numerous “Work Sessions” and, along with other members of the general public, have experienced the crowded conditions noted below. At the most recent “Work Session” on November 22nd approximately 40 to 45 people were there, with about 10 of those standing in the entrance way.
The reasons for moving these meetings from the “Mayor’s Conference Room” are straightforward:
- The meetings of the Common Council are open to the public and therefore the meeting facilities should be conducive to involving the public.
- The Mayor’s Conference Room is fairly limited in size and with seating available for only approximately 22 people. Additional people, approximately 15 (by my estimate) can crowd into the room by standing along the walls.
- Presentations involving charts and boards cannot be viewed by all the people in the room.
- Having these non-televised meetings in the larger Council Chambers would enable more members of the public to participate, albeit only to listen and view.
- These are important meetings of the governing body, involving official business of the City where Council members hear, react to and discuss presentations made by business leaders, developers, consultants, City Commissioners, City staff and other groups and organizations.
- The public should be able to witness discussions that act as preludes for critical strategies and votes that ensue at the regularly scheduled meetings of the Common Council.
- Official votes of the Common Council do happen at these meetings in the Conference Room when a Special Meeting is convened. The public should be able to witness.
- Accommodations for food and refreshments for Council members coming directly from other jobs can be handled just as easily in the Council Chambers.
In conclusion, I feel that it is the responsibility of the governing body to promote participation of the general public in the process of government, wherever possible. With sufficient seating and an open atmosphere that encourages public listening and viewing, members of the community will feel that they are welcome at these “Work Sessions.”
