Great ideas!

You can be sure that the bobbling heads on the commission won't like it.

They may not like it, but I'd like to see them vote against it. The resolution is below:

RESOLUTION No. 10-03-005
Sponsored by Wendy Pitts Reeves and Joe McCulley
A RESOLUTION TO ENCOURAGE CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT AND IMPROVE PUBLIC NOTICE VIA INTERNET ON VARIOUS ACTIVITIES OF BLOUNT CO. GOVERNMENT.

WHEREAS, Blount County Government consists of elected officials and personnel who serve at the Will of the People and operates to benefit all its citizens equally; and WHEREAS, the legislative body is charged from time to time with appointing or confirming appointed members to certain Boards, Committees and Commissions; and

WHEREAS, state and federal law requires that various committee meetings and other acts of local government be published in advance in a local newspaper of record; and yet many and various Departments within Blount County Government have also found the Internet to be a highly efficient and cost-effective means of communication with the Public; and WHEREAS, in an effort to improve public notice, the Blount County Commission has already voted on August 19, 2004 to have Commission agendas posted on the Internet; and

WHEREAS, the Tennessee General Assembly recently enacted legislation allowing local governments to establish a legislative forum to enable electronic communications and the Blount County legislative body recently created such a forum via Internet; and

WHEREAS, numerous recent events have left citizens of Blount County expressing concerns that they have not had sufficient notice of important events and appointment opportunities that have a direct impact on their lives and properties; and

WHEREAS, it is the desire of this legislative body to provide sufficient notice of such events whenever possible, to ensure open communication on the make-up, terms and upcoming openings on certain Boards, Committees and Commissions and to encourage citizens to participate in their local government; and

WHEREAS, it is the desire of this legislative body to utilize all reasonable and cost-effective means available to notify citizens of various committee meetings and other upcoming acts of local government;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Blount County legislative body does hereby establish the following policy to further improve Public Notice, and to ensure and protect the Public’s Right to Full and Advance Knowledge regarding upcoming opportunities to follow, understand and participate in their local government.

1. Any Public Notice required by law to be published in a local newspaper of record shall also be listed under a section titled "Public Notices" in an easily visible and/or accessible location on the County website within the same time frame.

2. All Boards, Committees and Commissions of Blount County Government shall be listed on the County website, including names of all current members, their original appointment dates and terms of service.

3. All openings on Boards, Committees and Commissions which are appointed by the County Commission shall be advertised on the County website for a minimum of 14 days prior to said appointments.

4. Nothing in this policy shall be construed in any way to change or alter any federal, state or county requirement regarding the appointment process to any Boards, Committees or Commissions.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Resolution shall take effect immediately, the public welfare requiring it.

Sounds too much like a democracy. Godspeed, tho. I'm 150% behind it, and not beneath a local joelic article to report the hall-of-shame that might oppose it--no? Vote's Tuesday night, correct?

Now you see why I am still crying in my soup over McCulley leaving. Hopefully Melton will step up to the plate. We will have to help him, they will not want him on the commish and will treat him like they have McCulley and like they did Sentator Finney.

Hopefully McCulley won't go out quietly and we will be better off with what he does on his way out the door. After all, what are they going to do to him, oust him?

I understand there is a possiblity McCulley may run for McCord's seat. I am keeping my fingers crossed!

IMPROVE PUBLIC NOTICE VIA INTERNET ON VARIOUS ACTIVITIES OF BLOUNT CO. GOVERNMENT.

This is way overdue.

RR- got any ideas on how to enforce it? A couple of years ago the BZA was told by the Commission to post it's agenda and a short description of actions requested by property owners on the website. That sure ain't happenin' now!

A 'variance" is not a description of what is being ask for!

It would be even better if you could sign up for e-mail notices when anything new is posted. I'm sure that could easily be worked in. I'm all for this. I think I'll e-mail my current commissioners and tell them how much.

"I think I'll e-mail my current commissioners and tell them how much. "
From the way they talk, except Mrs. Reeves, you would probably be the first to give input, positive, on one of her resolutions. Make sure you copy the other commissioners in case you are called to task.

got any ideas on how to enforce it?

The only way to get it enforced is for the 21 county commissioners to point out the fact that they voted for it and it is not being adhered too.

The only way to get it enforced is for the 21 county commissioners to point out the fact that they voted for it and it is not being adhered too.

Sounds like a good reason to vote for the Reeves/McCulley resolution. If it's the case they just can't remember, having the information published publicly on the website would allow citizens the opportunity to help remind them.

This is the same commission that voted not to ask TDOT to study and report to them the costs to the county government of the Pellissippi Parkway Extension. If they can vote for ignorance in that case, surely they can find a way to vote against this proposal!

Update- the resolution was determined to be a 'change of rules' for the Commission thus requiring a two-thirds vote to go on to full commission for consideration. It is going to full Commission next week but HARGIS-LEWIS-FARMER- HARRISON voted against it.

I think the only real rule change is the 'advertising' of openings on boards or commission.

It will take a two-thirds vote next week to pass this. Get yer game on folks!

ayes got it? awresome!

http://www.blounttalk.com/b2evolution/blogs/media/users/haymarket/vote%2009-mar-10.jpg

Seriously, though. What justification do Hargis, Lewis, Farmer and Harrison have for voting against it? Are they going to put that in bold letters on their campaign brochures:

"I voted against a measure to encourage better communication and more openness with the taxpayers. Vote for me!"

A friend of mine, whose name shall not be spoken, has been studying what Farmer has voted for and against over the last few years. Similar to what the Mayor said, Farmer wants to talk about what they have accomplished.
Some of those things are: doubling the county debt, creating schooling crisis by voting against school and road department impact studies for sub-division approval, voting againt the senior tax freeze, voting against having fleet services do maintenance on county vehicles, and stopping attempts to have the budget openly discussied by the full commission.
I'm sure none of that will be in his fliers, but I've got a feeling it will be on a flier out there. I have no input into what it will contain, but there will be some exposure of the votes of several commissioners brought up.

Go Tea Party ! I don' t like Sarah Palin, but if someone doesn't take a stand, the Liberals are going to take over the country. Let's secede from the Union. I am sort of serious. Liberals are dangerous.

IF at first you don't secede, try, try again!

OMG.

Just curious, missy, but who are the "liberals" in the debate about the resolution by McCulley and Pitts-Reeves?

I was responding to the tea party at library by Harvey that was referenced in this thread. Don't know nothin about no resolution.

I have to say that liberals have some good ideas on some issues. We want some of the same things but are usually opposed in how to accomplish those things. I think extremist are dangerous. It doesn't matter which side they are on. You can bash liberals, or democrats, or republicans, or Tea Party Patriots all you want, but you're just adding to the stereotypes that are out there. In addition, you're less effective because those people you offend aren't going to listen to you for very long.

The vote about this whill be tonight, please attend teh commission meeting and show your support.