[Vision2020] Walter Steed, our city council, and the public voice

[Tom Hansen]

Courtesy of today's (October 21, 2013) Moscow-Pullman Daily News.

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Letter writer got it wrong
In Lynn Ate's recent letter to the editor (Daily News, Oct. 17) she said I voted with two other Moscow Council members to deny public testimony on the anti-discrimination ordinance that was passed last April. There was never a motion or vote to deny public testimony. In fact, council discussion on the anti-discrimination ordinance was still occurring when Mayor Chaney abruptly called for the vote on the ordinance, precluding public input.
Ate is just as wrong about this as she was when, in a Human Rights Commission meeting several years ago, she accused the Moscow Police Department of racial profiling in front of myself and Chief Dan Weaver. A little light of day proves her wrong on both counts.
The video of the council action on the anti-discrimination item may be found on the City website under Records Center, Minutes and Recordings for April 1, 2013 at 2:20.
Walter Steed
President, Moscow City Council
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(Lynn Ate's letter of October 17th)
Steed failed the public

Moscow - whether you are a red or blue voter - remember and carefully consider the fact that Walter Steed failed the Moscow public on April 1 when he voted with two other council members to deny public testimony on an important issue before the council. He wouldn't even let the city supervisor present a statement on the topic.
Moscow residents on both sides of the issue had waited for more than two hours to be heard and to have their testimony entered into the public record. But Steed and the two others didn't want to hear from us, didn't think our opinions were worth the time and acted as though we were all just a bother. We were all simply shooed away like a bunch of vexing flies.
Public testimony is an important part of the city council process in a democracy. And in a city where council members are elected at-large from the whole Moscow population, representatives should want to hear from a broad scope of the public in order to best serve the city. Steed neglected his fundamental duty to listen to the public he supposedly represents and acted as though he respected neither the Moscow public nor the public process.
Use your vote to elect someone to our City Council who will courteously and carefully listen and appreciate the time and effort engaged residents expend in presenting their ideas to their elected officials. My support goes to Rebecca Rod and Art Bettge, who I believe will listen to Moscow residents and represent their interests.
Lynn Ate
Moscow
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Watch and listen as Walter Steed and the Moscow City Council vote to quell the public voice after Mayor Chaney attempts to open the discussion to the public . . .



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRLreZu8yv8

Please continue, Mr. Steed.

Seeya 'round town, Moscow, because . . .

"Moscow Cares" (the most fun you can have with your pants on)
http://www.MoscowCares.com
  
Tom Hansen
Moscow, Idaho

"There's room at the top they are telling you still 
But first you must learn how to smile as you kill 
If you want to be like the folks on the hill."

- John Lennon
 
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