October 21, 2007Salem council bypasses taxpayersThere's one word for Salem city officials who slipped a taxpayer-funded retreat past taxpayers: Busted. You have to give City Manager Forest Jones and city council members points, though, for ingenuity in the way they executed their confab. The council recessed a meeting last month and resumed it four days later at a golf, spa and ski resort in West Virginia Because council members continued the previously scheduled public meeting, they didn't have to go through the rigamarole of notifying residents about the meeting-slash-junket at the golf resort. Using Salem's flimsy argument, the West Virginia meeting was an extension of an earlier meeting. Granted, the way Salem circumvented the public notification process was legal. But just because something is legal doesn't make it right. City leaders may have adhered to the letter of the law, but they trampled all over its spirit. I'm not against the council and high-ranking staff having a retreat away from the incessant interruptions of everyday business at City Hall. But the way this thing went down smacks of the insular attitude often associated with Salem and its government. To make matters worse, city officials were annoyed that Roanoke Times' reporter Marquita Brown did her job by writing about the trip, which was estimated to cost at least $9,160. Some city leaders tried to discourage her by saying it wasn't a story. Guess what, folks? It is. Salem should have made a better effort to notify residents of the continued council meeting. On Sept. 24, Councilman Chris Clemens made a motion to recess the meeting and continue it Sept. 28 at the Resort at Glade Springs, about two hours from Salem. Clemens' motion came after many residents had left the room. How convenient. Mayor Howard Packett said, "We don't have any control over how many people are in the room." No, but you have control over making sure your bosses -- the taxpayers -- know you're getting ready to drop nearly ten grand on a retreat where you say you will discuss city business. What if some Salemites wanted to carpool over to West Virginia and sit in on the discussion? What if they wanted to join the "pre-dinner reception"? I'm sure they'd be willing to pay for their own cocktails. After all, the discussion is about city business, right? There should be nothing to hide. Shanna Flowers' column appears on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. |
About this blog In her signature plainspoken style, Michigan native Shanna Flowers peels away the layers and gets to the heart of the issues. No pretense. Just straightforward perspective. Shanna writes about local people whose circumstances reflect decisions made as near as City Hall or as far away as the halls of Congress. Other times, she weighs in on a topic because it is incredibly ridiculous. Or heartening. Or fascinating. Read Shanna's column three days a week, Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, at roanoke.com
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Comments
[October 22, 2007 10:10 AM]
Sean PeeklerShanna, I just wanted to let you know that the City of Salem department heads have been taking out of town "trips" for the past fifteen or so years. I know when Randy Smith was city manager they would go to Wintergreen or The Homestead (to play golf) for their out of town meetings/retreats. I'm suprise that the media is just now catching up on this news.
[October 23, 2007 5:37 AM]
Cindy TuttleI am not surprised that the city council chose to do this. I think I am more shocked that information such as this FINALLY made it to the paper. It's long overdue. Salem likes to keep things under wraps and away from the public eye.
Much to her credit, the City of Salem has some of the best services in the Roanoke Valley.....streets, schools, police protection. But, these services come with a hefty price tag and now we know at least part of the reason why.....council meetings held at fancy resorts with City taxpayers footing the bill. It's true we get the nice, slick Salem magazine on a regular basis and a nice City calendar every year. What I would rather see in Salem are things like lower electric bills, greater services for the poor (yes.....we have those kind of people in Salem, too), a wider offering of entertainment and activities for youth outside of sports, and a City who doesn't keep her dark-side a secret. There are no homeless shelters in Salem and at times I think the City would rather pretend that the homeless and poor do not exist here. West Main Steet has become a maze of concrete and strip malls (lets build some new ones even though we can't keep the old ones filled!) Outside of the fine, outspoken folks who run Given's Bookstore, I don't see any advocacy of civil liberties or human rights inside the City. I see a City with her head in the sand and who prefers to show a "glossy" image to the valley rather doing real works for the residents of the City.
What say you Salem and what say you City Council?
I was born and raised in West Roanoke County and have been a resident of Salem for most of my life. I love this place and have just as much pride as the next person. I know we can do better than this......we are Salem born and Salem bred!
[October 23, 2007 8:57 AM]
Leslie McFinally! For years Salem City Councel has been doing things under handed. Look at the huge Salem YMCA. Which council members got rich off of that non-profit project? It is about time we took off our blinders....