Maniaci: Screw the Public

They don’t need proper notice . . .Maniaci sees no reason not to proceed with a vote at Plan Commission this evening on the Edgewater . . . so I’ll explain it to her.

This is just absurd. Ok, this pisses me off, I won’t deny it. I wrote the post about if the Edgewater would or would not be discussed at Plan, because I suspected there would be a push to move forward. I’ve been keeping in contact with Mike Verveer about this, and he just shared this with me:

From: Maniaci, Bridget
Sent: Monday, December 06, 2010 9:44 AM
To: Murphy, Brad
Cc: Verveer, Mike
Subject: Plan Commission item #5

Hi Brad,

Per our meeting this morning with yourself, ACA Anne Zellhofer and Amy Supple of the Hammes Company, and per the additional, clarifying documentation and resolution language that was discussed to come forward this evening, I am of the understanding that staff now will have all the material details regarding the Public Access Management Agreement that they feel are necessary for the Plan Commission’s consideration. At this point I see nothing technically outstanding that would stop the Plan Commission from being able to consider the item this evening.
Thanks so much!
Alder Bridget Maniaci

No reason??! You can’t see it? None? Seriously? If you seriously can’t, you don’t belong in public office.

Let me explain it for you:

1. It’s annoying enough that the Plan Commission agendas come out on Friday afternoon. Giving the public 72 – 80 hours notice about what will be on the agenda and the new information in the staff report. Of course, 48 hours is the weekend, and if you have any questions or follow up or people you need to contact, you essentially have today to do so. But, we’re been living with this less than ideal situation for quite some time and we’ve found ways to mitigate it to the best of our abilities.

2. I believe those closest to the Edgewater knew this might be on the agenda Monday and that there were some issues about if it would or would not be discussed. So, they probably looked at the agenda, and if they did so, they would have found, that the agenda has been amended twice and that the current language that reads:

Agenda Amendment #2: This matter should be referred to an upcoming Plan Commission meeting at the request of Ald. Maniaci, 2nd District. The first amended agenda was incorrect.

They probably were relieved, went on about their business and have forgotten all about the matter, because the agenda says it won’t be discussed.

3. We have, yet again, new information that at the last minute, that the public hasn’t seen. New resolution language and new documents to hand out. Dropping new information on commission members again at the last minute. I’ve seen Bridget Manaici do this one more than one occasion, taking it to the point where she withholds new information until after the public has spoken so they can’t speak to it, doesn’t bring copies for everyone and then pushes something through. That is just a, excuse my language, shitty way of doing business.

4. The staff is just getting new information this morning? How can staff have time to properly evaluate and have time to give good advice to the plan commission when they likely have many other things they need to do between now and then because these are the 8 hours everyone has to contact them about the agenda for tonight.

I’m sorry I’m being kind of cranky about this, but it flies in the face of the spirit of open government. And it is a trend I see in the City of Madison that frankly just makes me sick to my stomach when I think about it. How can you ever expect the public to reasonably participate in local goverment when we have elected officials that think that this is an ok way of doing business? Well, I guess that is the point. You can’t, and they don’t want you. What makes me so damn mad is that Maniaci, who is my alder, my representative, has no concern and no respect for open government, which should be the very foundation of the principles that guide local elected officials. This is so fundamental to what I expect from my elected officials that to not understand this is mind boggling to me. What I see going on in local politics lately just makes me sick.

So, here’s my plea to you. If you agree with me, and you don’t have an alder or a candidate in your district that gets it, please consider running for office. If you can’t do it, find a neighbor you would think is good and convince them to do it. If they won’t, ask them who they know who might do it. And if you find someone who believes in open government that values public participation, don’t stop, you need to donate, to volunteer and to help spread the word. And if they win, remember to support them once they are in office, they can’t do the work on their own, they need the public support. We need more elected officials that understand the fundamentals of public service. That celebrate the values that Madison has long held dear. We don’t want to end up like so many other places where “politics as usual” flies in the face of what we have so long celebrated here in Madison. Elected officials that understand the value of public participation. We need those candidates and people to support them, if our voice in our local government is going to mean anything. And we need them soon, we can’t wait another two years.

Ok, I’m done ranting. But this can’t be the end of it, please don’t let this happen to Madison – think about what you are going to do for the next election!