Story Highlights
Merging the commissions…
It was interesting reading the comments of Kevin Klein, outgoing chairperson and member of the Davis Social Services Commission. For one thing he identified himself as such which I had thought was against council rules to identify yourself as a member of the commission when writing letters to the editor.
Regardless, Klein writes, “All said and done, it’s no wonder the Social Services Commission unanimously approved the merger of the two commissions.”
Not that I am surprise that Klein would take this course of action. For some reason he saw fit to attack the former chair of the HRC and interject himself into that controversy that really did not involve him.
Procedural Tensions with the City Council
There was a moment last night of high irony as the council fought on the issue of consensus. It seems this council fights even over whether to do things by consensus.
That leads me to my main point on all of this—the ensuing fight between Don Saylor and Sue Greenwald over procedure. They were dealing with an item that was not an action item, Sue suggested that they make comments and question simultaneously. Don pointed out and Ruth and Stephen agreed that the rules state that there is a written policy about how this is to be done. And there is.
HOWEVER, and this is an important point, Sue made a suggestion for a different approach since this was a less formal item. And Don for reasons that are not completely clear (nor made clear), strenuously objected. The only explanation the public got was that there are written rules. Well we know there are, but the chair often has the discretion to waive those rules for less formal items. Don could have gone along with this, there does not appear to be a compelling reason not to, other than a strict and blind adherence to rules, and instead of fighting and looking like a bunch of squabbling kids, they could have been discussing something important like the future of the city.
Two basic observations—first Don looked extremely petty making an issue of this in the first place. The rest of the majority and Sue certainly added to the problem.
The most mature councilmember appears to be the one who is by far the youngest of the five—a bit of irony not lost on those watching the exchange… Lamar Heystek, avoided the fray, he supported Sue on the procedural issue. Sue needs to better pick her fights—she certainly was right in that she had the discretion to waive the rule, Saylor certainly had the right to insist that they follow the rule but it didn’t seem like an important enough issue. Instead it looks like a power struggle and no one except Heystek looked good in the exchange.
—Doug Paul Davis reporting
What was really interesting was the level of anger/irritation displayed by Don over a seemingly minor point of disagreement. Very “un-Rosenberg-like.” (referring to Dave Rosenberg, who ran very efficient and respectful meetings when he was mayor). I understand why the split between questions and comments, but it didn’t warrant the reaction. I’ve been watching the meetings and Sue is doing a good job of running the meetings for someone who is new to it. She will get better as time goes on and her fellow council members should support her.
What was really interesting was the level of anger/irritation displayed by Don over a seemingly minor point of disagreement. Very “un-Rosenberg-like.” (referring to Dave Rosenberg, who ran very efficient and respectful meetings when he was mayor). I understand why the split between questions and comments, but it didn’t warrant the reaction. I’ve been watching the meetings and Sue is doing a good job of running the meetings for someone who is new to it. She will get better as time goes on and her fellow council members should support her.
What was really interesting was the level of anger/irritation displayed by Don over a seemingly minor point of disagreement. Very “un-Rosenberg-like.” (referring to Dave Rosenberg, who ran very efficient and respectful meetings when he was mayor). I understand why the split between questions and comments, but it didn’t warrant the reaction. I’ve been watching the meetings and Sue is doing a good job of running the meetings for someone who is new to it. She will get better as time goes on and her fellow council members should support her.
What was really interesting was the level of anger/irritation displayed by Don over a seemingly minor point of disagreement. Very “un-Rosenberg-like.” (referring to Dave Rosenberg, who ran very efficient and respectful meetings when he was mayor). I understand why the split between questions and comments, but it didn’t warrant the reaction. I’ve been watching the meetings and Sue is doing a good job of running the meetings for someone who is new to it. She will get better as time goes on and her fellow council members should support her.
That’s a very good point. My understanding of running meetings is that you always have to adhere to the strict written rules, the chair has prerogative to relax them at times–especially for what was to be an informal conversation. And Saylor other than stating it was the rules, never gave a compelling reason why it needed to be other than Sue’s suggestion. And the level of anger by Saylor was certainly very telling.
That’s a very good point. My understanding of running meetings is that you always have to adhere to the strict written rules, the chair has prerogative to relax them at times–especially for what was to be an informal conversation. And Saylor other than stating it was the rules, never gave a compelling reason why it needed to be other than Sue’s suggestion. And the level of anger by Saylor was certainly very telling.
That’s a very good point. My understanding of running meetings is that you always have to adhere to the strict written rules, the chair has prerogative to relax them at times–especially for what was to be an informal conversation. And Saylor other than stating it was the rules, never gave a compelling reason why it needed to be other than Sue’s suggestion. And the level of anger by Saylor was certainly very telling.
That’s a very good point. My understanding of running meetings is that you always have to adhere to the strict written rules, the chair has prerogative to relax them at times–especially for what was to be an informal conversation. And Saylor other than stating it was the rules, never gave a compelling reason why it needed to be other than Sue’s suggestion. And the level of anger by Saylor was certainly very telling.
Sayor and Sousa know that Sue can be baited and they alternate in deliberately interrupting Sue’s train of thought and challanging any of the perogatives, however minor, that the mayor has traditionally been allowed. This is a deliberate strategy and reveals them to be petty bullies. Sue needs to get a grip and ignore them.
Sayor and Sousa know that Sue can be baited and they alternate in deliberately interrupting Sue’s train of thought and challanging any of the perogatives, however minor, that the mayor has traditionally been allowed. This is a deliberate strategy and reveals them to be petty bullies. Sue needs to get a grip and ignore them.
Sayor and Sousa know that Sue can be baited and they alternate in deliberately interrupting Sue’s train of thought and challanging any of the perogatives, however minor, that the mayor has traditionally been allowed. This is a deliberate strategy and reveals them to be petty bullies. Sue needs to get a grip and ignore them.
Sayor and Sousa know that Sue can be baited and they alternate in deliberately interrupting Sue’s train of thought and challanging any of the perogatives, however minor, that the mayor has traditionally been allowed. This is a deliberate strategy and reveals them to be petty bullies. Sue needs to get a grip and ignore them.
How does she do that–just let them dominate the debate?
How does she do that–just let them dominate the debate?
How does she do that–just let them dominate the debate?
How does she do that–just let them dominate the debate?
She should take a lesson from Heystek whose demeanor disarms the bullies Saylor and Souza and makes them look foolish. Bullies have a fine sense for those who respond to their attacks and I’m afraid that Sue reacts reflexly to anger and its perceived threat in her direction. This is something that she needs to work on.
She should take a lesson from Heystek whose demeanor disarms the bullies Saylor and Souza and makes them look foolish. Bullies have a fine sense for those who respond to their attacks and I’m afraid that Sue reacts reflexly to anger and its perceived threat in her direction. This is something that she needs to work on.
She should take a lesson from Heystek whose demeanor disarms the bullies Saylor and Souza and makes them look foolish. Bullies have a fine sense for those who respond to their attacks and I’m afraid that Sue reacts reflexly to anger and its perceived threat in her direction. This is something that she needs to work on.
She should take a lesson from Heystek whose demeanor disarms the bullies Saylor and Souza and makes them look foolish. Bullies have a fine sense for those who respond to their attacks and I’m afraid that Sue reacts reflexly to anger and its perceived threat in her direction. This is something that she needs to work on.
You’re exactly right–Lamar’s demeaner just diffuses it and when they did attack him, it really looked bad. Sue takes the bait, she needs to make her point and realize they have the votes to win.
You’re exactly right–Lamar’s demeaner just diffuses it and when they did attack him, it really looked bad. Sue takes the bait, she needs to make her point and realize they have the votes to win.
You’re exactly right–Lamar’s demeaner just diffuses it and when they did attack him, it really looked bad. Sue takes the bait, she needs to make her point and realize they have the votes to win.
You’re exactly right–Lamar’s demeaner just diffuses it and when they did attack him, it really looked bad. Sue takes the bait, she needs to make her point and realize they have the votes to win.