Monroe County Repubs Snub the Public
A short clip from the 12/12/06 Monroe County Legislature meeting.
When the camera turns to catch a glimpse of Republicans taking a coffee break… There’s only one hero who can protect them from people who want more child services…
IT’S DOORMAN!!! Closer of Doors, Keeper of Cowards, Silencer of the Public!!!
Godspeed Doorman, Godspeed…
[Click the link just below to see the video.]
[gv data="http://www.youtube.com/v/ajeCsOjithE"][/gv]
Update: (btp here) As ususal, as soon as something pops up on RT, readers start emailing me with little tidbits. This one was interesting, about some of the folks on the video:
The speaker is a pediatric doctor involved with “The Children’s Agenda” who spoke at budget time. you will note Bill Smith prominently displayed in “the back room”- and then they actually close the door! Public input is viewed by the GOP, I am afraid, as a time during the session where the legislature “business” has not begun. It is terribly disrespectful, and emphasizes the fact that the GOP do not believe that public input can be constructive.
Hard, cold, video. Taking politics out of “he said/she said” land, back into reality.
I guess they’re more interested in hearing themselves talk. Bill Smith caught in the act of ignoring the public when members of the public have been allotted time to speak, priceless. This video would be hilarious, if it wasn’t actually reality. So much for our Rep. legislators serving the interests of the public. I suppose its more important to attend to the desires of beneficiaries of no bid contracts, etc.
It’s too bad the camera didn’t pan over to show how many Democrats were not sitting at their seats as well. There’s always two sides to each story but, of course, the media only shows one.
Sabrefan… unfortunately I did not actually shoot this myself. The person who did shoot it wishes to remain anonymous and will. I will suggest that they shoot the Dems sitting and listening to their constituents next time though… sorry about that. If The Dems trail off and shut the door on the public at the next meeting, I promise we’ll post it here.
As for the “media” showing one side but not the other… I don’t know if you noticed buuuuuut, Bill Smith SHUT THE DOOR during the PUBLIC forum!!! You don’t have to be biased one way or another to notice how messed up and fundamentally wrong that is.
The Republican party claims to want direct participation by the people unless it is in public.
Having attended the meeting as a bystander (I didn’t videotape the proceedings, although I wish I could claim to be the excellent videographer behind the candid camera), from my recollection, all of the Democrats sat through the entire public forum. The only time I recall them leaving their seats were for procedural reasons. Actually, I don’t think they entered their private meeting chamber at any point during session (aside from scheduled breaks). I could be wrong about the latter.
If you’re having any doubts, I’d encourage you to attend a county leg. meeting, to see for yourself how these meetings are conducted.
No. Freakin’. Way.
Who are the other two dudes beside him? And which legislator was posted as the bouncer?
Unbelievable! Makes you say that old refrain ‘What about the children!”
With COMIDA, Water Authority, Children Wellbeing…brb…have to sip some coffee
Does anyone recognize the brave, brave men in this video?
I actually think being in the backroom and closing the door is less disrespectful than all the times I’ve seen the Republicans in general milling around, getting coffee and talking while the public forum is going on.
Just an idea…if you’re going to point cameras in the direction of nearly or soon-to-be closed door meetings, you really also need a great microphone or someone who can read lips
Great idea! Any hearing-impaired progressives reading this? Do we have a project for you!
Campaign slogan 2007: Don’t walk out on us!
Apalling.
[...] As Adlai Stevenson said of Eleanor Roosevelt: “It’s better to light a candle than curse the darkness.” Well, we’re here to do both. And as our first candle/curse, check out this picture of some of the County Legislators. Now, why could they be looking so crabby? [...]
[...] you do something productive like funding “The Children’s Agenda” rather than closing the door on the public?ÂÂ Fighting an unwinnable morality fight to score some political points… how very Republican [...]
[...] why would they need to make a point about open government?ÂÂ Oh.ÂÂ Man, I don’t always agree with the D&C ed board, but when I do, I agree [...]
[...] the Monroe County Legislature’s 10th District” seat which is currently held by Bill Smith - (R-Pittsford).ÂÂ It would be hard not to assume that Mr. Nixon is announcing intentions to faceoff against Smith [...]
[...] Leg, instead going to a coffee klatch, glaring at us, then closing the door.” Or we can just show you, so that local pundits have no choice but to reconsider their undying love for the local [...]