A New Kind of Rudeness Rules City Government
Whose government is it anyway?
An Editorial:
While Orville Nelson has become a one-man band, the iron fist is showing at Council meetings. Nelson has now extended it.
At the last meeting, Teri Macduff is subjected to “gavel abuse” as Nelson demands that she stand facing the council in a position with her back to the audience. The move accentuates the adversarial relationship towards many citizens that is defining Nelson’s mayoral tenure… Read the editorial here, including video of the exchange.
In assisting councilor Mack Eubanks, the liason councilor between the Community Harmony Garden and the city, adding to his report, I, Teri Macduff, was gaveled down. As chairman of the Parks Advisory/Community Garden committee, in efforts to be helpful, I was gaveled down and told to move to the center by Mayor Nelson.
Mayor Nelson wanted me to stand at the center of the room which would have required me to have my back either toward the audience or the council, by standing at the side my back is toward no one, therefore much more courteous and respectful of both audience and council. It is frustrating to be talked over and rudely gaveled down when offering information. It demonstrates a lowering of standards in courtesy and manners on the part of our mayor.
It is long past time to remind those that were elected in the last election of their signed promises. You can click here for the full contract.
From the contract with the citizens’ of Lakeside, signed by Mayor Nelson when running for office that are very pertinent to this issue…
1. Transparency, section D. Publishing council agenda well in advance of meetings and encouraging public input at all times.
2. Fairness in Government Operation: section D. Establishing an open and non-adversarial relationship between city government and residents.
Mayor Nelsons’ personnal promise: Orville Nelson, Candidate for Mayor.
I have been a resident of Lakeside for 46 years and am married to LaVonne. I am retired from a position of sawmill management so have administrative experience. I have served on the fire board for eight years and have a good working knowledge of successful procedures. “As mayor I will emphasize building trust in a city government run by the people and for the people.”
Orville Nelson has repeatedly been offered the opportunity to write his thoughts about city government on this community website. That invitation is again extended.
If Teri was gaveled down as she states, then why is she standing and giving her input. The other audience members had gone up and stood at the front to address the council, why then do you not think that you should be required to also. The mayor was trying to gain your attention, I believe, and wanted you to understand that he is in charge of the meeting. We could be like other councils and require the persons to sign in, go to the front of the room, and be held to a time limit for speaking.
His actions are just another great example of Orville dictatorship. (A dictatorship is an autocratic form of government in which the government is ruled by a dictator. It has two possible meanings:
* Roman dictator was a political office of the Roman Republic. Roman dictators were allocated absolute power during times of emergency. Their power was originally neither arbitrary nor unaccountable, being subject to law and requiring retrospective justification. There were no such dictatorships after the beginning of the 2nd century BCE, and later dictators such as Sulla and the Roman Emperors exercised power much more personally and arbitrarily. Orville also has to be in control of everyone. It’s also another example of his Narcissistic nature and just in case you don’t know what that means here is a definition for you.
narcissistic (comparative more narcissistic, superlative most narcissistic)
1. Having an inflated idea of one’s own importance.
2. Obsessed with ones own self image and ego.
OK – I guess that says it all!
The more I thought about the above posting the madder I get. Has Orville forgotten that he was voted into office by the people for the people? His campaign pamphlet did say “As Mayor I will emphasize building trust in the city government run by the people and for the people. Ha, what trust? Has power gone to his head? As everyone knows, it is very hard to give input at a meeting. To make someone stand up in front of everyone else, for no apparent reason, just adds unnecessary stress and for what reason? What does it accomplish? What is he trying to prove? That he has the POWER? Why is it so important for Orville to exercise POWER AND CONTROL over someone? He gives the impression that he is out of control and that kind of behavior makes people uncomfortable. Is that what he is trying to do? Make people uncomfortable so they won’t participate? Well Teri, I for one apologize for his behavior and rudeness and want to thank you for trying to help a councilor give a report on something that has brought such beauty and enjoyment to our city. Remember Orville, history has shown that tyrants are always defeated.
Ok I watched the video. Didn’t really find that upsetting. I am beginning to believe no one has had any other experience here.
If it were any other city you would need to go down days before the meeting, request time for the agenda, when you are called go to the front – state your name and topic and have a time limit.
You are there “to address the council”., not shout from the back of the room.
Practically, I am assuming they are recording the meeting for the minutes and those addressing the council need to be closer to the recording device.
There seemed to be a resistance on Ms. Macduffs’ part to come forward. Did it really deserve time here? In all it takes me back to Junior High. I see it is election time, I don’t know why any runs for office here, when no one respects the position. As an example, I really think our current President is certifiable, BUT, if he came in the room I would still stand and be respectful to the Presidency.
“Anonymous,” you complain that no one respects the position, yet fail to see that the mayor shows a lack of basic courtesy and respect for one of our town’s citizens. Fascinating look at how some think that the people are beneath the council. I don’t recall that it’s the tone that the council promised when they ran for election.