To the editor:
I was very disappointed with the Wintersville Council meeting of Jan. 19.
I have always been under the impression a citizen can question their government, but this does not seem so in Wintersville.
Around a month ago I submitted a proposal to the mayor requesting a change to council's meeting rules to permit citizens to ask questions about ordinances and resolutions and to ask questions or make comments under old and new business matters.
It seems the proposal was not accepted, as it was said that council rules will remain the same with no changes. There was no vote in open council about the said request.
The reason I submitted this change to the rules request was due to being told I was out of order at a past meeting for raising my hand to ask a question about the ordinance covering the license plate tax increase from $5 to $20. A vote by council members had to be taken and approved for me to ask the question.
I was permitted to ask my question and an answer was given after the first reading of the ordinance.
What was disheartening was the fact a vote had to be taken and passed for a citizen to ask a question -- isn't that what public meetings are for?
I do believe it's in the Constitution of this great country that a person can ask a question of elected officials.
Since I have been going to council and committee meetings for some time now I have often heard it said that council would like more citizens to attend meetings and have input and that this is the administration of transparency and accountability. But if you can't ask a question at a meeting, how do you get transparency and accountability, so why attend?
Again, a citizen needs to be able to question the government.
I will state that public comment and questions are permitted at the beginning of a meeting and that's it -- this is before ordinances and resolutions and old or new business is discussed.
The problem I have with this is when these other matters are discussed a citizen has no input. With some ordinances getting passed as an emergency in one meeting by a council member invoking Robert's Rules of Order to suspend the rules and do all three readings in one meeting.
Now, I understand some business ordinances need fast approval due to time restrictions, but not all.
So without the ability to question or speak on an ordinance or resolution at that time one must wait until the next meeting to speak on the matter, and by that time the ordinance or resolution is already in play.
So, again I ask: Where is the transparency and accountability that is preached so much?
I ask that council reconsider the submitted request for change. Citizens have the right to ask questions of the people who are elected and paid to serve the citizens of Wintersville.
Ronald Cavanaugh
Wintersville