So I return from vacation (it was very nice, thank you) to read that some elected officials in Narberth are not going to get very high grades in the "plays well with others" category on their report cards this term. I wasn't there so I won't comment on what happened at the meeting last week. But I have read Jim's account on this blog as well as Cheryl Allison's article in the Main Line Times, and a number of people called me and sent e-mails to me. Now I hear that some officials are threatening to sue other officials or take other equally absurd and wasteful steps to try to get their way after the fact.
Let me introduce some reality to this situation: the question of who rents space in the school building and who manages the property is relatively insignificant compared to the real issue at that site. I've written before about the school district's meritless attempt to take ownership of that property -- a large parcel of land and some buildings in a very desirable location -- away from the Borough. It is nothing more than an ill-advised, hostile, blatant land grab by the school district. That's what Narberth residents should be upset about, not about who on Council voted for which property manager. Don't be distracted by minor issues and petty politics on Council. If you live in Narberth, it's your property that the school district is trying to take. That's what you should be outraged about. And if you agree with me, you should be letting your feelings be known to the school board.
(By the way, based upon my experiences during my time on Council, I suspect it's a good bet that there has been a flurry of e-mail activity among the elected officials, both before and after last week's vote. Back then some officials just couldn't restrain themselves from dashing off angry and self-righteous e-mails every time controversies came up on Council, even tiny controversies, and I'd be surprised if those office-holders have changed their ways. Those e-mails could make for interesting reading if someone wants to try to obtain them by submitting a formal, written request for the e-mails under the Pa. Right-To-Know law. See my January 15th blog in which I discussed the Right-To-Know law.)
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
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What might we learn if we FOIA'ed emails to Council? We'd learn which of our neighbors have strong opinions? I'm not sure where that would get us. I would also worry about chilling effect for the future. It's the right of private people to communicate with their elected representatives. If people thought their correspondence was subject to being "exposed" it will ultimately discourage people from writing at all, or encourage more people to act anonymously.
ReplyDeleteJim --
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty sure that matt meant among the Council members, not between constitutents and council members (which I don't think are subject to right to know disclosures, but I could be wrong).
Mmm, yeah, Matt set me straight on that. I mis-read it.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I think technically one can receive back and forth correspondence between council and private citizens, as long as the names are redacted. It works that way with the school board, anyway.
Matt -
ReplyDeleteWe need people to go to the school board meeting tonight. There are a few things happening
1. many awards will be given for amazing student acheivements
2. the budget is being passed,
3. the contract for Ken Roos, the solicitor that brought us 4 federal law suits, is being renewed,
4. the district is passing an archiving policy allowing they a 72 hour period to delete emails is being passed; and
5. there will be a number of residents speaking out about the school building.
Jim has promised a special treat for those staying through public comment.
Bring some work, catch up on email, do some knitting, but be at Lower Merion High School tonight at 8pm.