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Health & Fitness

CITCOM meeting is quietly contentious

Public Comment was more fun.

Frank Versagi's profile picture
Frank Versagi, Neighbor
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There was a split-vote over even the normally neutral matter of appointments to committees. Altogether there were three split-votes: (1) Goodwin voted No re Bastone's request to add a bar. (2) Goodwin and Poulton voted No re  Appointments to city committees. (3) Goodwin and Mayor Ellison voted No re extending the current Agreement to Operate Concessions at the Farmers Market.

In terms of substance, the Commission: Postponed the City Manager's proposal to consolidate several historical preservation committees and commissions until -- as firmly requested by a Public Comment speaker -- those committees and commissions are at least notified and given an opportunity to comment . . . Approved a contract for resurfacing N Campbell Road . . . Approved offering homeowners a Sewer Warranty Program operated by a private firm . . . Approved filling a vacancy in the Engineering Department . . . Reappointedcurrent Library Board members . . . Approved Mahrle's resolution to request the State to return some of its surplus to the cities.

During Public Comment, which precedes approval of the proposed agenda: The City Manager was labeled as anti-historical preservation . . . A counter-argument was offered to the suggestion that the city's golf courses are losing money and that golf is a dying sport . . . A recognized Royal Oak historian pointed out that the several city historical groups provide different services, so any decision to merge the groups or drop any should not be made unilaterally by the City Manager . . . A restaurateur suggested that the Farmers Market's concession be put up for bid.

The Human Dimension
Ellison was emotionally gracious as he thanked the community for its many-faceted support after a house fire made his home temporarily uninhabitable.

Goodwin's lone No-vote re Bastone suggests her mindset is anti-alcohol, so she will have to guard against prematurely closing her mind re bar-votes.

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Mahrle, at the same time as offering substantive input, must guard against showboating.

Fournier has proved to be a productive presence at The Table until he spoils it by unproductive thinking-out-loud, rambling. In fairness, he doesn't often seem to be playing to the camera, but a little self-control would make him a better commissioner.

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DuBuc and Poulton represent my ideal legislator. They speak less than everyone else (less often and in fewer words). The don't go on-and-on when they do speak.

Douglas was absent.

Put it all together, this group will apparently never be guilty of running a meeting till midnight by wasting time talking just to be talking.

Frank Versagi is the editor of Versagi Voice.


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