Alderman complains: "We have to dress up"
So said Clinton Alderwoman Ricki Garrett and her fellow Clinton Aldermen as they voted to stop the live-streaming of their work sessions and budget meetings. Mayor Phil Fisher began streaming the work-sessions Monday on Facebook but the Board made it clear it didn't want the public to watch them in action online even as the Covid-19 virus surges across Mississippi.
"Work sessions" are where the real work and discussions happens in many cities and counties in Mississippi. They are rarely covered by the media or attended by the citizenry and Clinton is no exception. Clinton Mayor Phil Fisher began streaming the Clinton Board of Aldermen's work session two weeks ago. 651 people watched the session on Facebook live. However, people watching their government in action did not sit too well with the Clinton Board of Aldermen and Alderwomen as James Lott and Ricki Garrett put a stop to allowing the citizens of Clinton to watch the work sessions from the comfort of their homes.Rookie Alderman James Lott proclaimed he was in favor of transparency. Of course. He immediately moved to ban all streaming of work sessions as well as budget meetings. Can't let the folks see how the money is going to be spent, can we? Of course, he did this all the while protesting he favored transparency.
He said "we can discuss issues with the department heads in a relaxed, calm environment without the camera and Mark Jones harassment." Mr. Jones is the Public Information Officer for the city of Clinton. Apparently Mr. Jones streaming the meetings earned some public harassment from Mr. Lott.
The Alderman said the work sessions are still open to the public. Defending his motion, he said "When we do it in front of a camera, of course it is edgy for us, we have to dress up and look extremely nice for you guys" (So does he want to wear knee-length shorts, t-shirt, and a pork-pie hat to work sessions?).
Alderwoman Ricki Garrett immediately seconded the motion. Mayor Fisher pointed out 651 people viewed the livestream to watch "their city take care of their business and you're going to close them off from that information while claiming you want to be transparent." The Mayor told Mr. Lott he was "surprised" that the Aldermen didn't want the citizens to watch their elected representatives online. Mr. Lott responded, "Mayor, we are not closing the door, we want everyone to show up if possible."
Ms. Garrett jumped in to defend her ally. She said "I agree with Alderman Lott's motion. I am as transparent a person you will ever come across." The proclamations of transparency soon fell away as she said "I do have some concerns about live-streaming the work sessions. " She said she had seen "alot of showboating and grandstanding" on CSPAN. "I think the citizens of Clinton have a much greater interest in us getting the work done of the city than having every single meeting of the Board live-streamed" continued the Alderwoman. She closed with a parting shot at the Mayor" I'm sure the Mayor is going to make it appear that the Board is trying to make it some way to hide or not be transparent but nothing could be further from the truth."
No Aldermen spoke out against the motion. Ricki Garrett, James Lott, Chip Wilbanks, Karen Godfrey, and Beverly Olive voted for the motion while Jim Martin and Bill Barnett voted against nay.
Kingfish note: Do I even need to say it?
36 comments:
This is BS. With the latest COVID spike, it's the wrong time to encourage 651 citizens to attend in-person. And, the people don't care what they wear -- it's all about what they do.
OK so I'm vaguely aware of some Council changes in the last election, but i'm ignorant on what those changes mean. I've never been up on Clinton local politics. Anyone care to help inform?
Doesn't really matter on this issue. More work sessions should be streamed. Such as Jackson's. There is alot of crap that goes on at the work sessions that the public does not see. Also serious discussions with department heads the public does not see either.
All 651 people should show up at the next work session demanding to be let in.
I don't live there so not my monkeys, not my circus...but I would be voting those shady camera-shy monkeys out next term if I did.
They will all be in their churches on Sundays singing "How Great Thou Art" and thinking it is about them....
Wouldn't matter up here in Canton. Our meetings almost always go directly to Executive Session.
12:48, that's both legal and appropriate given that most everything done by the City of Canton government is "potential litigation".
Most of those "shady camera-shy monkeys" were just voted in this summer. I believe 4 or 5 of the board members were newly elected this year. Ricki Garrett and her cronies are going to be the death of this city. What Jackson's westward expansion (of influence, not incorporation) hasn't killed, Ricki and her gang will. And they aren't smart enough to know it until it will be too late.
No board has to live stream anything unless it’s policy…
It is a policy in Clinton?
This has nothing to do with transparency. It has everything to do with a group of aldermen (alderpeople) who are going to do the opposite of what the mayor wants, regardless of what it is. The mayor proposed broadcasting the work sessions, so they said no. Get ready for 4 years of this. Or at least until a few of the new aldermen figure out what is going on. Right now they are under Ricky Garrett's spell. Call them sheep if you will.
To the snarky alderman at 2:35... "...."HAS" to...??"
I'm all for letting the public watch any meeting in person.
Covid or not, just because a meeting can be "live streamed" doesn't make it the best policy.
Some politicians just love a camera,and will put on a show rather than performing their job description for the people that elected them. ( Kind of like screaming and banging a gavel during a meeting)
This behavior is rampant throughout the country at all levels:
local, state, and federal.
What do they have to hide?
This really is sad for the four new people to be sheep like this to Ricki. That was the absolute worst excuse I have ever heard as to why it shouldn't be livestreamed. You could see her slow wheels turning trying to think of something to say and she obviously couldn't make a reasonable argument.
Someone who is bored or just mad should go and record or livestream these work sessions. Just like the city does for alderman meetins. Just put it on facebook like the city does.
Phil is a better politician than any of them and ultimately he will win this war. They just do not know it yet. He does not care because he can blame everything on them. They look super foolish trying to be anti everything he does.
Hey look at me a new alderman! Im business friendly... pro economic development...anti big government...conservative...TRANSPARENT... blah blah blah bullshit
But I want to make it hard for legit businesses to come here and open by making signs more expensive to install based on my preference of how something looks...I want to hide and not have a camera in front of me... I want to slow all progress down to a halt... and reshuffle a few dept heads cause I'm jealous how much money they make
These folks will tip Clinton over the edge and into the sheeet hole. Byram is no different. Elected officials given power and are stupid. Stupid and in power spells .... broken beyond repair.
When the Mayor and his "cronies" are disliked by citizens and local paper so he feels the need to find influence on a site about a failing city of Jackson.
@4:42 first time logging on... Welcome! glad to have you. This site is so worthless you logged on and then even made a comment. You proce the value this site plays but you dont have a clue.
" Anonymous said...
What do they have to hide?"
That was my first thought as well. These bozos just made a horrible first impression.
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"When the Mayor and his "cronies" are disliked by citizens and local paper so he feels the need to find influence on a site about a failing city of Jackson."
I'll post my comments on a blog about the thriving metropolis of Clinton as soon as you send me their url ;-)
Can someone clearly define what the legislative branch of a city government does since someone loves to talk about it so much?
August 4: You've no idea. Last year, Mr. Speed interrupted a trip, flew back here just to meet with a Clinton Alderman to discuss a project at the Alderman's request. He arrived at the time of the meeting and the Alderman stood him up.
As a Clinton resident of two years, I’m asking an honest faith question. Why is Clinton so slow to develop? I mean there are so many people there yet so few restaurants, shops, grocery stores, etc. I would love some input on this. Thank you!!
It’s nothing to hide... it’s just hard to conduct business when you have to stop and dumb down your jargon for the people who don’t know anything.. if they wanted to know what was going on , they’d go to the meetings..
9:31, you're in Hinds County. Clinton is an oasis, so be glad for what you have.
I watched the live stream of the work session when it was broadcast. It was informative. My observations: (1) After watching this motion, it is obvious the mayor did not consult the board about the live stream; (2) we would know more if we watch work sessions; (3) the mayor spent a little time talking to the camera rather than handling the work - so did some of the aldermen at times; (4) two people voted the opposite on the livestream than i would have predicted; and (5) this will not affect the quality of representation in Clinton. We have a good mayor (whose interpersonal skills are bad), and it appears we have a good board.
The importance of live streaming work sessions only started in July (by the Mayor) after the Mayor lost control of the majority of the Board. It was never important to live stream the work sessions as long as the Mayor had the votes to do whatever he wanted. Work sessions are for sitting down and working out issues related to city business development and determining what needs to come to the public meeting to be voted on to become city policy. These public meetings where discussion and votes are taken are all open to the public and live-streamed. I do not think that 650 people have watched the work sessions as maybe 20-40 people may or may not attend the public meetings. The people who were just elected are long-time Clinton residents and have the best interest of the City at heart. Ricki Garrett has taken abuse from the Mayor for the last four years and he is simply upset that she may now have the upper hand. Everything that the Mayor wants for Clinton is not always good and there is no reason to believe that the newly elected aldermen/women, many who are life long Clintonians with good reputations are up to no good.
9:31 pm
Clinton is full of people who have very little money combined with people who are very conservative. Mix that with no bars and college kids who are fairly conservative and you get Clinton. Add church and it’s stifling effect on social events and things like dancing and parties and alcohol and you get Clinton. Also lots of retired state workers who spend little. Add closeted homosexuals who are just the nelliest straight bachelors you’ve ever laid your eyes on and you get a little freakier side of Clinton.
It’s always been slow and it will soon be west Jackson so…I’d sell.
@7:06 those are very good observations. especially number 5
Lots of live-streaming from the County Office Building up in Canton, yet still...look at the shit-show government there has devolved to.
Is it good policy or not? The public has a right to see their public servants in action. I bet you think public notices should still only be posted on the courthouse door instead of online. Public gets noticed but oooonly if it goes by the courthouse. Well, great-grandpa, this is 2021. Technology rules and used properly, brings government into the home so citizens can see their elected representatives in action.
It doesn't really matter if streaming the meetings fits someone's agenda, it's still good policy. Period.
@8:09 that is hilarious. and true.
Ha! Had to pause when I read 8:09's take on Clinton.
Spot on. (Not sayin that's bad)
@7:57 Okay, Ricki Garrett.
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