NOTE: The Goshen News ran this Op-Ed on Sept. 22, 2017.
Dear Editor:
Occasionally Goshen’s City Council meetings are cancelled. The stated reason is usually something along the lines of “lack of agenda items” or “no official city business”. Sounds reasonable enough. No point in having a meeting without “business.” And besides, who doesn’t have a MILLION other things to do…right? See ya’ later, meeting.
Okay. That’s one way to see it.
But there’s another way to see it, too. Cancelling a meeting that exists for the benefit of roughly 30,000 people has consequences. Here are some to consider:
- The meeting that follows a cancellation is usually longer. With more agenda items, more material in our packets to absorb, contemplate, inquire about, and then vote on, it’s harder for council members to do their due diligence — and for residents to be informed enough to offer input.
- The unspoken (and surely unintentional) implication is that our “business” is only with those who come before us with contract requests and lawyers. Our meetings belong to ALL Goshen residents, including those who show up unannounced to express concerns about happenings in their neighborhoods or people who just want to be heard on a locally relevant subject of importance to them. The concerns these people bring to our attention aren’t always “agenda items” in advance, but they should always be considered “official city business”.
- Cancelling meetings makes it confusing to the public. How do customers respond to a business that has sporadic/unpredictable hours? Many fall away. City government is no different. When we are unpredictable, at best we can hold a small, committed core; but I hope we all strive for wider participation than our friends and acquaintances who are in-the-know.
Here’s a broader context: First, state statute requires that we hold one meeting a month. So, now-and-then cancelling one of our two regularly scheduled meetings is not a violation of law. But it does put us at the bare minimum. Surely we aim higher than the lowest rung on the ladder. And keep in mind that our City Council (unlike many others) has no standing committees, no regular work sessions, no formal orientation for new members, and only recently put a short list of Rules and Procedures in writing. Outside of Council meetings, we have carved out zero opportunities to interact as a whole unit (with one another and/or with residents). When we don’t meet, we reduce our ability to know and understand one another — which reduces our ability to work together.
In making a decision between two choices (cancel the meeting, or hold the meeting), shouldn’t we consider the worst-case scenario of each option?
Let’s say we HOLD a meeting without agenda items. The worst case scenario is that no one but (paid, elected) Council members appear in Chambers. We conduct Privilege of the Floor (the usual portion of the meeting where we discuss items that aren’t on the agenda); and then we go home. Doesn’t sound so horrible to me. Sounds kind of nice.
Now, how about if we CANCEL the meeting? The worst case scenario is that someone gets in their car and drives across town on some rainy night to address the Council… and finds an empty room. Confused and frustrated, they go home. Maybe they come back another day, maybe not. That sounds pretty bad to me.
By cancelling a scheduled meeting, we’re effectively passing along a potential inconvenience to someone else. We’re the ones who knocked on doors and put our names on signs and asked for the honor of representing our neighbors. Shouldn’t we be the ones to show up, rather than risk someone else showing up to locked doors?
Maybe the best thing that can be said about this issue is that in today’s highly polarized climate… at least it isn’t politically partisan! Open, accessible government serves residents of every political persuasion.
One final note: the Indiana Chamber of Commerce just named Goshen the “Community of the Year”. It’s yet another reminder that Goshen does so much exactly right. Three cheers for all of us! Let’s continue reaching and striving, being the best we can be together.
Julia King
Goshen City Council, At-large