I don't always agree with Councilman Frank Quintero's positions, but last Tuesday, he was the only class act on the dais. The action taken by the rest of the council was the straw that broke this citizen's back. I feel compelled to voice my displeasure over how our city government works. Public comment is a farce; it is generally not listened to unless it either supports a councilman's point of view or puts a particular council member in a bad light.
For some masochistic reason, I often watch Channel 6 on Tuesday nights to catch up on what's happening in our city. I don't know why I do this, because I'm plagued with indigestion after being bombarded with either superfluous dialogue from some of our council members or total disdain shown to the public in either oral communications or response to issues on the agenda.
I guess I should have known how the majority of the council would react when commissioners wouldn't merely parrot their predetermined positions.
Our council members are supposed to represent us, the people.
But unless a speaker's argument is in agreement with what has already been predetermined by staff and the council, that argument goes unheeded.
I have yet to hear a council member say, "that's a different way to look at it; I should give that idea further thought."
Rather, our council seems to seek unconditional endorsement. If you actually go to a council meeting and sit in chambers, you'll see our council members doodling, half asleep or gazing into the distance as they sit in abject silence while citizens give their often well-thought-out points of view. (Please, Channel 6; turn the camera onto the council for an occasional gut-check on their body language).
Representative city government in Glendale is broken.
