This past Tuesday (10/6/09) the Finance and Admin Committee of the city council held its monthly meeting.
The first item on the agenda was to be a review of info regarding the use of cell phones to include texting.
A problem occurred when the primary question as originally asked by a member of the city council was never answered.
Let's back up for a second. Back in June I addressed the council and again brought up the cell phone use/texting question. A few days after the meeting a phone conversation took place with the mayor and myself. It was mentioned that there were some cities that had passed local ordinances regarding this item. How was this affecting them? How were the local ordinances being enforced? Accident stats, etc. He expressed an interest in at least finding out what was happening in those cities. And yes, I brought up (eventhough it's a no-no) curiosity as to what effect the fines were having on those populations. The mayor then suggested I direct my questions to my council rep for review. I did this.
On 6/24//09 Council rep Distler sent an email to the city manager. Part of the email said:
"I received a call from Ray in regards to the Cell Phone Ban. He mentioned he had spoken to Jeff and that Jeff was interested in seeing what other cities have done and how it is working for them. Jeff advised Ray to speak to me and have me ask to have this item put on a committee."
Ms Distler had cc'd me and the mayor on that email. The city manager also cc'd me and the mayor when she advised it would be scheduled for October.
Now we come to this past Tuesday's meeting. No info was presented on the effects of bans in those cities that had them. The only thing about any other cities, was that no other city in JoCo was considering this item.
Why was no info supplied as to the original request? I can think of two possibilities:
1. There was miscommunication between the city manager and staff as to what info was to be reviewed.
2. Staff was directed by the city manager to limit the scope of the info provided. Possibly because the city manager does not favor a ban.
I sincerely hope that the problem was item 1 above. As such, Ms Distler has resubmitted the request to include the names of some cities that have these types of bans. If it was item 2, then we have a problem. Why? Because in a manger/council form of government it is the council that makes policy, not the city manager. The city manager is supposed to provide the info to the council............all info..........the good, the bad and the ugly.
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Additional info from the meeting:
An article from the KC Star was shown about a gentleman who was killed at the Harley-Davidson plant this summer by a woman who was talking on her cell phone, failed to stop after hitting him, and then ran over and crushed his head.
Also, this PSA from the UK was shown. If you have a weak stomach do not watch it. Not necessarily recommended for very young children.
If you have trouble viewing the above, you can click here to go to it
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ttNgZDZruI
