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Lansing (MI) City Council meeting for June 15, 09
 
6:57
In a few minutes, the Lansing City Council will meet.   I will be watching on Comcast's government channel for the city.

I've always wonder how many people watch the council on a Monday night.   More than 100?   More than 1,000?   More than 10,000?

I wonder why they watch and I wonder how informed they are about city hall and the issues.
6:59
I do have an e-version of the agenda and a copy of the supporting material for each agenda item.   I downloaded this from the city website.  

I wonder how much of the serious discussion for each item actually takes place during the Committee of the Whole meeting of the council on Thursday's.

7:00
The council chambers just came on the air.   Lots of empty seats at this point.
7:02
Roll was just taken with Dunbar being absent.   I wonder why they don't pray.   Afraid to offend somebody?   Maybe prayer would help.
7:03
Special ceremonies just starting.   Are these meaningful to the people involved?
7:10
Our council-member, A'Lynne Robinson, has special ceremony for Juneteenth celebration.   It's oldest African American holiday.   It's independence day for African Americans, when they left plantations.  

Its June 19.   There are planned activities.   Picnic, parade.   I'm anxious to learn more.   Does anybody have links about the celebration?   Kick-off is Thursday, then Friday and Saturday at the park.   Celebration of global freedom.
7:11
The local website is www.lansingjuneteenthcelebration.org.
7:21
Now council-member comments:
  • This Wed. Foster Neighborhood Association will be meeting, according to Eric Hewitt.
  • Reo Neighborhood Association having picnic tomorrow, according to Sandy Allen.
  • From A'Lynne Robinson, Churchill Downs Neighborhood Association having picnic on Saturday at Wainwright School from 1-3 pm.
  • Colonial Village meets on Wednesday where Parks and Rec will give update on Southside Community Center. Starts at 7 pm.
  • Lewton Rich has neighborhood garage sale this Saturday.   From 9-3 pm.
  • Council-member Robinson expresses disappointment about not getting parks and rec person to give tour to neighborhood people.   She comments about poor communication from them.
  • Council-member Carol Wood talks about Friday Pow Wow at Adado Park.
7:27
Mayor's comments from Gerry Ambrose who lives in Mason, I believe:
  • Talks about fed funds creating recovering zones for job creation.   He said allows borrowing money at lesser rate.   $25 million?
  • Where's Mayor Virg?
  • 2008-09 budget adjustment amendment; brings budget into balance; neither increases or decrease size of budget; I need to check packet for it;
  • City lost $570,000 in state revenue sharing in the last month; might have to use financial reserves;
  • Trying to reduce year-end spending; might use as much as $800,000 from reserves ?   Some things beyond control have happened.   What are those?
  • Concert in park this Wednesday; Thursday there's Blues on the Square.
7:43
Public comment on legislative matters; stuff on agenda for action:
  • Ethics ordinance amendment;
  • Robinson explains says its to clarify what can be received without reporting;
  • William Hubbel comments:   He says it doesn't clarify much.   He asks about Sister City gift in council chamber and whether its legal;
  • Richard (Last name) : Talking about Japanese invading Alaska; huh? ;
  • Darnell Oldham:   he asks about elected officials receiving gifts; he says Dunbar said Pollard under contract to Southside Coalition; he asks if there was a need for city employees to receive gift;
  • He says he was a state employee;
  • What's the purpose of giving a city employee a gift, he asks?
  • Thomas Ryan:   wearing cowboy hat; can't see his eyes; he questions city employee gifts; he talks about hookers giving cops $49.99 to look the other way;
  • John Pollard:   Talks about Christman Construction; he talks about their fascia extending to city property; he questions why employee was given 30 days to report; what if an employee got five gifts of $40, would that need to be reported;
  • Willie Williams: talks about gifts; poor attempt at sarcasm;
  • Stan Shuk: he says he gets calls about gifts as city employee; people want to give employees pizzas; he asked about Common Ground tickets;
8:12
Comments--other---
  • Charlene:   Says she needs justice; wants protection for her property; says city employee wanted to shut her up; she's 73-years-old; has disabled daughter;
  • John:   Quotes Scripture--A time to do everything; says Jesus told him that the city has three days to remove alcohol, porn, drugs;
  • Citizen:   Says he talked to Dunbar at the pride rally; talked to her about snow removal rally; concern is amount of assessment fee; $300 is the fee; about gifts, he says he's not allowed to accept them;
  • Richard Clement:   Talks about three Senate bills by Kuipers and Cropsey; relates to medical marijuana; sounds like they want to tighten law;
  • Bob Gray:   asks about boundaries of second ward; how west, north, south; state police post; he says its not done deal; he says city might have to take responsibility; pretty sarcastic;
  • Frank Curtis X: Can't understand him; something about holocaust;
  • Darnell Oldham: Talks about how freedom of expression at city council meeting is squashed; talks about how southside center being promised in June to open; he says there's no sign about center being there;
  • Thomas Ryan again:   Says right to applaud is guaranteed by First Amendment; blames problems on city attorney; he says mayor needs to be voted out; first said taken out; he talks about illegal assessment on a southside area;
  • John Pollard again:   He comments about city not taking care of peoples' problems; he says money is being robbed from southside community center;
8:18
Listening to the regulars is tiring.

It's the same thing week after week.   Lots of rudeness and sarcasm.  

Right now, one of them is after Council-member Carol Woods.   He says she is a Republican and not Democrat.

8:21
Stan Shuk asks them to name one millage where the money is used for its intended purpose.  

He asks about surveillance cameras and when they are monitored.
8:22
Somebody claps and Quinney asks officer to remove them.
8:23
My computer battery is running out.
8:26
Resolution to deal with Christman situation passed.
8:37
They are getting to the end of the meeting.
8:38
Battery is just about gone.
8:38
 

 
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