TAKE THE TIME TO WATCH Your Elected City Government At Work

 
 
 
 
 

Ever wonder how much time the mayor and the other six members of the Mesa City Council actually spend "doing their homework" ??
The mayor has both a Chief of Staff and an assistant who handles the Mayor's Office for Public Information.
Each councilmember has an assistant who can be asked to do research on any issue, in addition to whatever hours he takes the time himself to get informed with due diligence. Open Meeting Laws forbid any discussion between councilmembers on items placed on the agenda.

What's missing here in Mesa all too frequently is an informed, engaged and active group of citizens who demand and exercise our PUBLIC RIGHT-TO-KNOW - it's the first and fundamental understanding between citizens and those who manage to get elected to office to serve and honor the interests of their constituents . . . if that connection is not established, or the public feels they're not welcome in good governance, representative democracy in this city of over 475,000 is flawed from the very start. We need to fix that!

_________________________________________________________________________

With that being said and keeping that fundamental principle in mind, just take a look at last week's Mesa City Council Study Session on Thursday, May 31, 2018. A streaming YouTube video is inserted below for you interest if you decide to take the time to see and hear it. If this is the first time you, dear reader, have the opportunity to see your government in action, what are your reactions? It may be interesting to note that some councilmembers appear more or less uncomfortable or more or less active in discussions with the public.

Do you immediately see the tension and apprehension evident in the Lower Chambers right from the beginning of this 149-minute meeting?

This is extraordinary to say the least . . .   

Does Mayor John Giles look like he's got a clue or is in any way prepared for this standing-room crowd who take the time to show up?
Notice how he has to ask City Attorney Smith that's immediately responded to by City Manager Chris Brady regarding how and when A PUBLIC HEARING about Home Rule will be conducted . . . these are two required public hearings.