In the Race

Well, not really. 

But the quote is "So, put me in jail."

That from Franklin District 1 Alderman Steve Olson, the newly appointed member of the 27th Street Jt. Steering Committee. 

Since there are only four members on the current Steering Committee, two of the members meeting together out of the four member committee to discuss business is a violation of open meetings law, is it not? 

And Alderman Olson catches himself as he begins to report that he and Jim Rhiner met together or discussed increasing members on the committee.  As I was not there, but have the tape provided to me, I can't tell you if he stopped himself, or was stopped.  But the "So put me in jail," comes out, which acknowledges he is aware of the issue.  So, possibly this was discussed between the two of them at some point.

This same issue was discussed at the Economic Development meeting briefly between Alderman Olson and Alderman Taylor - with reference being made by Alderman Olson that two bloggers were in the room. 

You will also hear in the podcast which begins with scheduling of the next meeting, Alderman Olson, at over 2 hours into the meeting, bring up, with an apology, and terms it as an 800-lb. gorilla, the fact that something needs to be done regarding Boomgaard. 

Yes...Boomgaard.  Remember that Steering committee?  How quickly we forget.   Just brush it under the rug.

I guess "committee" meetings don't have to follow Robert's Rules of Order.   They are more like a three ring circus.  I don't know which city staffer gets the horrible job of filtering through the MESS of tape they are left with from these meetings, but there is no rhyme or reason to these meetings.  Most of the time three people are talking at one time. 

There are Rules for a reason.

There are Ordinances for a reason.

Alderman Olson seems to believe that fact -  if you listen to his statement made at the Common Council meeting last Tuesday.  "Ordinances come first."  "If there is an ordinance violation alleged, this city owes it to its constituents and citizens to completely investigate it in a timely manner."

That said,  you can listen to this brief podcast from the tail end of the Steering Committee meeting regarding these two issues.


HERE




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S. 27th Street Steering Committee - August 21, 2008

Jim Rhiner – Chairperson - EDC/CDA, Franklin
Steve Olson - Alderman, Franklin
Marie Myszkowski – CDA, Oak Creek
Tom Michalski – Alderman, Oak Creek