Mayors New Rules For Council

VOR- Perfect example of two people looking at the same situation and coming to two very different conclusions.

Your opinion, after observing Ms. Scott-Jones, is a chip on the shoulder. My opinion is that she is constantly asking needed questions, constantly analyzing situations, trying to problem solve and receiving only token answers many times that has become a building frustration for her (as well as many of us citizens). I sense the lady is getting tired of the double-talk, the city policy of talking around a subject that could incriminate them as to their activities. I feel the city hides many things from the citizens or blantantly does what they wish with no regard to what the people want for their city and I believe she senses this also. JMO

You see AJ and Laubach as too young, inexperienced and perhaps too "tender of mind/will. I presume you are not willing to allow them to "settle in" as there is "too much at stake for this city to give a pass to the inexperienced types". I believe they will be more agressive as they gain confidence and gain a mastery of the way the system works. They are new, young people in their first year in a group of seasoned veterans and older people who have developed a sense of confidence over the years. I say give 'em time. At least the first term to adjust.

The statement you used about too inexperienced and youthful is a common one used to describe the new kids on the block that want to upset the apple carts of the old guard incumbants who are in their comfort zones and usually stop serving the people over time because they have the next election "locked up". Look, if you are happy with "old guard" people like Mulligan and Becker and with the newer members (who have made the choice-or have been told to join Mulligan and Becker to keep the majority vote on council) like Allen and Picard, then by all means, support them. I, on the other hand, think the old "inexperienced" argument is a load of crap. Hell, Becker, Mulligan and the other "experienced" people started out where Smith and Laubach are now didn't they? Everyone, including the mighty Johnny Boehner, started out from day one not knowing his a-- from first base, didn't he? New blood is necessary to replace old, stale, never changing/never improving comfortable incumbants. That's why nothing ever gets any better around here. The controlling majority on council will only vote in the manner that the controlling faction tells them to vote. That controlling faction is the old dried up, never changing, stubborn, non open minded individuals that detest progress and want to inhibit any real growth or oppotunities for the town and its people. That's why Middletown is light years behind the times compared to the surrounding communities. No, IMO, it is time to purge the old guard, both on council and with the behind the scenes power group in town who are the real controllers of this town and replace with new, progressive thinking blood, free to offer any and all ideas, without backstabbing resistance, to help us prosper. The deadwood leadership in this town must be purged and that starts with the behind the scenes, faction-backed council members that occupy the current majority. They must go, and then the hierarchy in the city building must go.

how about excluding all current and former board/commission members who have missed more than 25% of meetings? Hard to get a quorum any more--even on the Master Plan Steering Committee.