With the Flash out of town, I have not seen a council meeting for quite a spell. But I was told by some of my senior friends about a statement made by Councilman Frank Vaslo the other night.

It was during a discussion about appointing an advisory board of citizens to help plan the roads and infrastructure repairs. Being Election Time we of course had politics come into play. Because the proposal was from Councilman Mario DiSanto and Councilwoman Brady, that automatically had Mr Kandes, Mr Brown and Mr Vaslo voting against it.

When it came for the vote Mr Murphy voted in favor and said he wanted to hear from the citizens. Then I was told Mr Vaslo voted against it and said the citizens are heard EVERY MONDAY NIGHT.

I ask you. Are the citizens being heard? How many times have we discussed the Council jumping up and heading for the bathrooms when it is time for Citizen Comments?

If the Council really wanted to hear from the citizens of LP, they were cross their legs and sit through Citizens Comments. If nothing else, they could call for a 5 minute recess so their could refresh theirselves and then be ready to listen to the citizens.

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A Five Year Millage? Yes
A non-limited Millage? Never
Vote NO on Proposal R

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Mayday (08-31-05), TheGirlNextDoor (08-31-05), Robbie (08-31-05), Bonehead (08-31-05), Rmc2017 (08-31-05), Veritas Scriptor (08-31-05), LPTaxpayer (08-31-05), Robin (08-31-05), MasterQM (08-31-05), Zlhsalaru (09-01-05)

I think other than a couple select people, the council could care less what we want or what we have to say.

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I believe they are all guilty of taking "potty breaks" during Citizen Comments. In addition to Potty Breaks, they sit and whisper to their neighbor.

In my day, the council sat up straight and paid attention to the people at the podium. Now it appears as if the citizen at the podium is a nuisance.

I have been told that Mr Vaslo will often sit and read The Happenings or a newspaper when citizens are at the podium.

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I don't think it's plain out ignoring. I think it's still done because it's a formality.

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When we stop listening to our citizens, I believe we have out lived our usefullness to the public! Everyone needs to take a quick break after sitting for several hours at a meeting. Sometimes we meet for an hour or more at a pre-council meeting which may cause even a little more strain on the blatter or a crimp in the back. While I do get up occasionally, when another council person is giving their report, I will only get up in an emergency if a citizen is speaking.

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Robin (08-31-05)

I have no problem with the mayor and council taking a potty break. Nature calling is a reality.

But what would be so wrong with taking a five minute break before going to Citizen Comments

I would also suggest the cameraman pan the entire council when they go to Citizen Comments. Let us people at home see who is listening to the citizen at the podium. Let us people at home see who is whispering to their neighbor or reading magazines.

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Robbie (08-31-05), Rmc2017 (08-31-05), Veritas Scriptor (08-31-05), orangemoose (08-31-05), Zlhsalaru (09-01-05)

I think the camera pan is a good idea, it may spur a little more attention, but I think we would lose a lot of viewers if we took 5 minutes at that time because everyone knows the meeting is going to be over soon, and they are either ready for bed or surfing to see what else is coming on the other stations.

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Running to the restroom, reading magazines and whispering was never tolerated when Mayor Mel Gish ran a council meeting.

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Personally, I don't watch the meetings live. I tape 'em and watch 'em at my leisure. If the meeting took 5 minutes for a potty break, then that's was Fast Forward is for.

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Why do citizens have to wait until the end of the meeting to speak to the council? Take the lady at the last meeting who had the problem with her property. Why did she have to sit there for almost two hours?

Why should anyone wait through all the campaigning rhetoric in order to address the council?

Citizen comments should be moved to the top of the agenda.

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recordar la yocorazon

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Robbie (08-31-05), Mayday (08-31-05), Veritas Scriptor (08-31-05), Wolverine (08-31-05)

That's right on there Don! If it were first, there would be alot of time for hearing the constituants. Now as it is, you are limited to 5 minutes, that's all we're worth, 5 minutes. If our problem is longer, too bad. The council has all the time they want to voice their opinions, why not the citizens?

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Arctic Cat Thundercat Test Pilot

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marlinfan321 (08-31-05), Bonehead (08-31-05), Veritas Scriptor (08-31-05), Zlhsalaru (09-01-05)

It'd good to be the king.

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People people people. We have a councilman who always listens to the good citizens of Lincoln Park, Mr. Vaslo.

I understand on good authority that he researches many issues before he makes any of the tough decisions this council decides on.

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Be careful about praising Mr Vaslo, it could get you banned.

From what I can tell, people can say all kinds of hurtful things about Mr Vaslo and people will give you a standing ovation. But say something bad about Mr Murphy or his "faithful aid" Ms Brady and you will get banned.

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jujitsu50 (08-31-05)

The most effective way I have seen of dealing with this is by taking the councilperson aside PRIVATELY and letting them know that you feel as if they don't care about yuor issue. If you confront them at the podium it will just put them on the defensive, no good. If you confront them privately and get into their face they will get defensive, no good. If you take them aside and treat them with the same respect you are asking them for you should and I am confident will get that respect.

Rookie councilpeople are usually the worst at this. They are usually not trying to be disrespectful, they just need to learn.

As for bathroom breaks.........when you gotta go you gotta go! I have never even thought twice about an elected official taking a bathroom break, no matter when it is during the meeting. In AP the meeting would go on as usual, votes and all.

However, I do remember that during a meeting in AP where former Mayor King was absent and then-Mayor ProTem Kyle Tertzag was chairing the meeting, one of the councilman was in the restroom when a vote was going to be taken. Kyle asked everyone to hold on so that the missing councilman could have time to return to cast his vote. It was only about 30 seconds that the meeting was held up and the only comment from the audience was that it was the classy thing to do to wait for a fellow councilman to be able to cast their vote on an issue.

EVERYONE has had nature call when we wished it hadn't! It happens and that is that!

TGND

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Believe half of what you hear and none of what you read, especially in the News Herald!

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I disagree, Janehiswife. I, personally, addressed that man in a professional and tactful manner...and he didn't even acknowledge me. He didn't even make eye contact with me.

I've attended council meetings and seen it time and time again with others. Anytime someone disagrees with him and addresses him as such, he acts like he can't hear them. And when he is given the opportunity to rebut, he chooses to talk about something else.

In my opinion, his only motivation up there is to propel his political career...through any means neccessary. This means voting against resolutions brought by council members who he doesn't like (regardless of the resolution) and to toot his own horn every chance he gets.

I base this opinion on two things:

1) His actions over the past two years (they speak volumes to me)
2) His decision to run for State Rep (which he lost). That tells me that his is eye on a prize bigger than the city of Lincoln Park...and that we're just a catalyst to get him to where he really wants to be.

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Oh Magoo, isn't your butt tired with all the talking it does?

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Well it didn't take Magoo long to show his fangs. Oh, by the way, You sir are !

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That's not even close to being it. There have been a few members who are long time participants here who openly slap Murphy and Brady.

What gets people banned (all two or three of them out of the hundreds of members who have joined over the last 6 years) is when they allow thier difference in opinion to become personal (or when they give out thier login information to several other members).

Some of you make it sound like there is a lot of people who have been banned. I don't know the exact figure, but it's less than 4. And one of them was banned for giving out login information...an issue completely seperate than "disagreeing with Murhpy or Brady".

I just jumped on Murphy in another thread for making an error. I haven't been admonished...because I did it tactfully. I didn't go off on a tangent and begin insulting the man or his family.

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Though I am no fan of this site I have been not been banned and I have demonstrated repeatedly my staunch support of Frank Vaslo as he is one of the best councilmen we have.

Compared against his colleagues, Frank is respectful and gives as much of his time that is necessary to people.

When he was being unduly bashed by Councilwoman Brady about a flyer he sent to residents, he did not lash out at her or anyone else. He remained poised and dignified. Frank only wants what he thinks is best for the community and as he pointed out last Monday night, the residents are heard by the council during citizen's communication which is the best way to have your voice heard.

This chatroom is not the place nor is it recognized by Frank or some of his esteemed colleagues as a way to communicate.

Mario and Mike do not like this site one bit and only visit here because they need the votes for re-election. On the other hand, Murphy and Brady are at home here with their fans.

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Friends don't let Friends Vote Republican

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jujitsu50 (08-31-05)