TONIGHTS COUNCIL MEETING BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE ENFIELD REPUBLICANS
Last night, December 5, 2005, the Town Council meeting was taped for future broadcasting on local cable television. This was not because the Town Council finally got to making a simple decision on airing it's business in the public. It was sponsored and paid for by the Enfield Republican Town Committee.
I call this creative and it goes to prove that when something needs to be done, Republicans step up and act. I want to compliment Mary Ann Turner, Chairwoman of the ERTC, and the Republican Council members. They, along with the entire Republican Team, decided to move on this because the majority on the Council does not see the value in putting their process for making decisions and actions before the citizens of Enfield.
Now, to be fair, Council Minority Leader Scott Kaupin and the ERTC Chairwoman challenged the Democrats to match this worthy action by sponsoring equal amounts of meetings. The response so far is " we will look into it". We will have to wait and see if they value you enough to take the challenge.
Now, what is the importance of having the Council meetings taped and aired on local Cable?
One, it keeps the taxpayers informed about issues that concern their welfare. It let's us all know what are the priorities of the Council and where your money is being spent. It gives you and I an opportunity to decide for ourselves if Town leaders are doing their job.
Two, it holds leaders accountable. Enfield politics has enough behind the scene actions. This was proven by the close door meeting that the Democrats held to remove a great Town Manager from his job. Having the Council meetings air on Cable will allow the citizens to see how decisions are made, and how each Council member presents themselves to the community.
Three, it let's people observe the entire meeting, instead of just getting our information from the Newspapers. The Press does a good job reporting, but they have limited space for each Town in their Newspapers. With airing the entire meeting, no one can spin the events to their favor. Neither Democrats or Republicans can interpret the meetings to fit their agenda.
Four, it will stimulate interest in your government. Apathy is usually a result of not knowing what is taking place and by not having access to information. By having the meetings on television people may find that they are interested in becoming a part of the process.
Five, it will create interest in Elections. We usually wait for the Campaign Literature to hit the mail boxes, and Newspapers before casting our vote. Once again, by having our community being able to view first hand what the issues really are, we can make a more informed decision when we vote for a particular individual.
Six, and last, you can hear residence just like you challenge the Council on items of interest and current issues. At every meeting people are given an opportunity to speak to the Council about how their decisions are effecting the lives of the Enfield population.
But, I must give a warning. Sometimes, people speaking before the Council are rude and insulting to Council members. At this weeks meeting this was more true then usual. Members of the Taxpayer Association called Democrats "the Communist Party" and a person aligned with them used language not proper for airing. So, be aware when your children watch with you.
I want to chime in on challenging the Democrats to step up to the plate and sponsor meetings, along with the Republicans. Better yet, the Council as a team should take the item off the table and vote on having the meetings taped and aired on Cable. It's time we all see what is going on in Town Hall.
Greg Stokes
Last night, December 5, 2005, the Town Council meeting was taped for future broadcasting on local cable television. This was not because the Town Council finally got to making a simple decision on airing it's business in the public. It was sponsored and paid for by the Enfield Republican Town Committee.
I call this creative and it goes to prove that when something needs to be done, Republicans step up and act. I want to compliment Mary Ann Turner, Chairwoman of the ERTC, and the Republican Council members. They, along with the entire Republican Team, decided to move on this because the majority on the Council does not see the value in putting their process for making decisions and actions before the citizens of Enfield.
Now, to be fair, Council Minority Leader Scott Kaupin and the ERTC Chairwoman challenged the Democrats to match this worthy action by sponsoring equal amounts of meetings. The response so far is " we will look into it". We will have to wait and see if they value you enough to take the challenge.
Now, what is the importance of having the Council meetings taped and aired on local Cable?
One, it keeps the taxpayers informed about issues that concern their welfare. It let's us all know what are the priorities of the Council and where your money is being spent. It gives you and I an opportunity to decide for ourselves if Town leaders are doing their job.
Two, it holds leaders accountable. Enfield politics has enough behind the scene actions. This was proven by the close door meeting that the Democrats held to remove a great Town Manager from his job. Having the Council meetings air on Cable will allow the citizens to see how decisions are made, and how each Council member presents themselves to the community.
Three, it let's people observe the entire meeting, instead of just getting our information from the Newspapers. The Press does a good job reporting, but they have limited space for each Town in their Newspapers. With airing the entire meeting, no one can spin the events to their favor. Neither Democrats or Republicans can interpret the meetings to fit their agenda.
Four, it will stimulate interest in your government. Apathy is usually a result of not knowing what is taking place and by not having access to information. By having the meetings on television people may find that they are interested in becoming a part of the process.
Five, it will create interest in Elections. We usually wait for the Campaign Literature to hit the mail boxes, and Newspapers before casting our vote. Once again, by having our community being able to view first hand what the issues really are, we can make a more informed decision when we vote for a particular individual.
Six, and last, you can hear residence just like you challenge the Council on items of interest and current issues. At every meeting people are given an opportunity to speak to the Council about how their decisions are effecting the lives of the Enfield population.
But, I must give a warning. Sometimes, people speaking before the Council are rude and insulting to Council members. At this weeks meeting this was more true then usual. Members of the Taxpayer Association called Democrats "the Communist Party" and a person aligned with them used language not proper for airing. So, be aware when your children watch with you.
I want to chime in on challenging the Democrats to step up to the plate and sponsor meetings, along with the Republicans. Better yet, the Council as a team should take the item off the table and vote on having the meetings taped and aired on Cable. It's time we all see what is going on in Town Hall.
Greg Stokes
posted by Greg Stokes at
Tuesday, December 06, 2005
6 Comments:
Greg:
Great points once again and dead on. It is important for residents to see their council in action. Then they can see what a pompous, arrogant, condescending, full of himself buffoon the mayor is.
Yet Another Poltical Play:
Do you expect anyone to believe that the righteous Mrs. Turner and our holier than thou Republican party are having the council meetings taped out of genuine concern for the Enfield residents? Please give us residents more credit than that. The reality is that this is just another move in the game of political "one upsmanship". Thinking that she and our party are the sole residents of the high moral ground is ludicrous.
Some advice for Mrs. Turner. Put your hatred for King Tallarita aside and keep it from hurting our party. Our 4 Council members will shine if you let them. Keep them out of your political games and people will reward them in the next election. If you continue using these transparent political tactics, they will be voted out because of you. The election is over. Let our councilmen work with their Democratic counterparts for the good of Enfield.
As a well-educated professional and life long local, I am disappointed with my Republican party. I'm not happy with the Democratic party either but they have 1 or 2 good councilmen. Our 4 and 1 or 2 promising "Demicans" means we have a future in Enfield if our party leaders get the hell out of the way.
God Bless you!!! Ms. Turner will be the downfall of the Republican party....She divides everyplace she goes. Look at her past participation and ask why she no longer is part of certain organizations. Ms. Turner, you have so much hatred for the people who serve our town in elected positions...then get out of town, we'll gladly clear a path. As a life long Enfield resident, I am sick and tired of hearing the jabs and the back stabs from both parties...but especially from Ms. Turner. And Mr. Stokes, you are using your "pulpit" to preach hatred as well....You are a three time looser at the polls for a reason...think about why...! I understand Mr. Stokes has the "power" to post this or not...and I assume because it is not negative towards the Democrats that it will not be posted...But I know you have read it and perhaps will give you some things to reflect upon.
God Bless....Democracy, not hatred!
Greg,
After reading the last comment I thought I should warn you that the dems have it out for you and your blog.
I know you consider the mayor to be a friend, but I think your friendship is just one sided.
Just wanted to give you a heads up.
A true Friend
You say that you don't like the back stabs from both parties yet you continue on to insult Mrs. Turner. It is Mrs. by the way, not Ms. Is that not a stabbing? And if both parties are doing it, why are you picking on one person.
If you don't believe in spreading hatred than why are you clearly making your own jabs (ie. three time looser") at Mr. Stokes?
Finally, if you all feel so strongly about your viewpoints why the "Anonymous"? What are you hiding from? I guess it is easy to insult when you hide your identity. Any why the need to swear?
Whew...Obviously there is an anonymous person with an axe to grind. Hi,
this is Mary Ann Turner and I just took the time to read the comments about
me on Greg's blog.
Glad to see that people are watching and find me such an attractive target.
The ERTC decided to tape the meetings. Something Scott Kaupin has been
asking for, for two years. So we are proud to have helped facilitate this
activity.
To the person who thinks I will be the downfall of the local GOP...sorry to
disappoint you, but we have a growing and active committee. I am very proud
of what our town committee has accomplished in such a short time (3 new TC
members and 3 new BOE) 3 new members in the last month and money in the
bank.
As to why I am no longer in Rotary, I found a member doing something
inappropriate and brought it to his attention. He got embarrassed and used
his mistake and made a mockery out of a proud organization. I am proud of
my service to the Enfield Rotary club and I have many awards to my credit
for my many years of service.
As for leaving town, I heard that from you before, so I know who you are.
If there is any hatred to be had, it is obviously under your guise of
anonymous. Remember, it takes a brave person to speak their mind in public
and stand by their convictions, I must be braver than you. I signed my
name.
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