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Council Forgot Who Put Them In Office
On the recent issue of changing the time for the City Council meetings from 7:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., I blame amnesia on the part of council persons who voted for the change. Those council persons are: Richard Murphy, 1st Ward; Marc Espar, 2nd Ward; Willie Milsap, 5th Ward; and Joe Doyle and Bob McKee, council at-large.
Apparently these elected officials, voted in by the people, have forgotten that "the people" are who they should represent. The people are the reason they hold those seats. After viewing the Feb. 18 debacle, I was saddened and upset.
First and foremost, they totally ignored the petition of nearly 200 constituents who were opposed to the change. Their facts and the petition were not even acknowledged. Apparently it was determined that no matter what the public outcry, their votes were not to change.
Mr. Murphy (very disappointed) and Mr. Milsap - you both ran unopposed in the November 2007 election. I'm sure you won't be alone in your races for the next terms (if you run).
Mr. Espar, let me remind you that your margin of victory was only 78 votes (436-357).
Leaving Mr. Doyle and Mr. McKee. Shame on you both! You both are representatives for the entire city. The people voted against this change and you both basically snubbed your noses at YOUR people.
I did not hear one speaker from the audience that justified or supported the change of time. Mr. Murphy said something, but the rest of the supporters sat in silence, giving no reason whatsoever. Your constituents will remember your vote and your silence.
So, while you glory over your victory on this issue, think of those petitioners (180+ signatures). These 180+ signatures can make you or break you. But most of all, I hope it brings to your memory what your office entails. Representation of the people is crucial to the success of our city. Your oath in December gave me false hope as to how I am being represented.
I suggest every council person read an on-line blog in The News-Dispatch by Jason Miller the day after the election. The date is November 7, 2007, in the City Confidential section. The title is "Don't Let the Voters Down."
Finally, I hope this council will from this day forward do the right thing and represent their constituents. There is a saying that "Silence is golden" but in this case it has left an ugly stain on our representatives and MY silence will be represented in the next election.
Freda K. Nelson
Michigan City
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Article comment by: Barry Young
Council Forgot Who Put Them In Office
I am amazed that with all the problems that Michigan City has, so many people have decided that the time for the city council meetings to start has ranked as the most important thing facing the city. I remember going to city council meetings that lasted well past ten o'clock and wondering why they started so late, and, of course, others that were over almost before they started, or should have been. The ideal thing to do would have been to have a 7pm start time, thereby each faction would have had to give a little to get a little. Then perhaps Michigan City could get on with the important things facing it. Oh, sorry, I forgot that is not how Michigan City works, or doesn't work.