Open Call to Ruston Council (Commentary)

The announced agenda for the study session this Monday night, January 14th is to discuss the new contract with Tacoma Fire (that Council Members Stebner and Albertson were supposed to negotiate) and compare it against the fire committee recommendations. Now that Tacoma has withdrawn from contract negotiations it’s time come clean, start this process over and do it right. That process should start this Monday. No more games. If Council Member Stebner has someone from LESA attending the meeting, he should let everyone (especially the fire chief) know who, why and what the discussion points are. This secret maneuvering serves no purpose and only hurts our community.

If the council has any ability to save face and finally move forward with integrity, here are the basic steps I’ve heard suggested by several citizens:

1) The council should provide their constituents (us) with their reasons for pursuing this contract with Tacoma. They must have had reasons. But they gave no explanation when they appointed themselves to negotiate this contract. The public has a right to know the basis for their decision.

2) Once the air has been cleared with open, honest discussion, the council should conduct a full hearing of the fire committee recommendations. To date the committee has given two presentations, with no questions by the council and very little time for public comment. The council and the community should have adequate time to ask questions and hear details of the committee’s research, findings and recommendations.

That means all committee members get formally invited to a meeting where they have time to prepare, sit up front and are given the courtesy of a full discussion of their work. That means the fire chief and his department give input on their department. That means there is advance notice of the agenda and who will be attending.

3) The fire chief has budgeted to begin a residency program in 2008. There should be no more delays or road blocks thrown out by the council. Our residents deserve a council that supports Ruston’s public safety departments and their recommendations. It’s time to stop playing games and do right by this community.

Add your message to the council here (via the comment button). I’ll post them for everyone to see and deliver them to the council on Monday. We deserve to be heard! And attend the meeting this Monday, January 14th at 7 pm at 5219 N. Shirley to have your say (if allowed by the council).

One final wish ~ wouldn’t it be nice if we could move on now? There are other pressing issues, all of which need collaborative and creative effort. I encourage the council to listen to our community, lay this battle to rest by taking the steps listed above and let’s move ahead. Continuing to fight over this issue (especially in the manner demonstrated thus far) will only destroy any hope for future collaboration; teamwork that is vital to solve the many pressing challenges we face.

Karen