Say what you will of staff at Silly Hall, Marysville, Ca., the one thing one must admit is that the City Manager has a knack for catchy ditties. What with the soulful; "There is no money, There is no money, There is no money" sung full throated the other day, it would appear that he be most capable of getting his forces to whistle another catchy tune, as they march out of the jungle of doom and into the harsh light of 'queer street'.
Hang on, allow this old geezer to remind all who peek into me blog, that what came before this disclaimer and what follows is a blending of fact and fiction. Much like the City Budget approved last night at Silly Hall.
Latest visit to Silly Hall did not start well. Finding the front door closed, went round to copper station and asked how one was to enter the building for the 'special' meeting. Being one who loathes 'lateness', I tend to arrive early, and was there before most. The copper asked question of did not know when the doors would be opened to public, he checked and came back with wrong information. Seems the chaps toiling at the Marysville Police Depart were unaware of the 'special' meeting to be held at Silly Hall. Mind, one would have thought they would, as there is a placard on front of building directing folks with mobility problems to use the Marysville Police Department entrance. Like the young chap said; "I am but a copper".
I counted 7 members of the public at meeting last night. Let me see, 7 members of the public and 12 denizens of Silly Hall. Not an impressive turn-out of the voters to catch matters of such import.
It was posted that the meeting would come to order at 5pm, but this is Marysville and no one waits until the appointed hour to start a meeting a Silly Hall. Truly, this is third time there and each time, the person chairing the meeting, watches the clock and never fails to bang to order before the clock strikes the hour. Could it be a Marysville tradition? The denizens know that no one will show up, why wait?
With the speed of a cat on a hot tin roof, the Vice-Mayor went right to work, getting to the items placed before her.
This old geezer had been informed that comments to be made had to come at each item. Getting up the first time and waiting for turn, gave name and address and told the assembled me thoughts.
Polite, with little interest on part of council and staff on what this old geezer had to say, comments fell useless upon the council chamber floor. However clever the quotes used or thoughts expressed, one was playing to an audience that did not want to hear what was being said.
My dears, this old geezer had a few pearls of wisdom.
I asked City Council to give up entire pay packet. Wondered about the days that staff would not work due to cut in pay. Wondered about the 'contract' Police Chief not giving up any of his nearly $100,000.00 pay packet. One caught on rather quickly that it would be redundant to comment on each item, there be no point in hearing one's own voice. Not a one of the folks in chamber, as member of public got up. Save for a chap who was fighting to get more consideration for the Firefighters of Marys ville.
My dears, for a meeting on the passing of the budget, it was a shocker to see how quickly it went. It takes more time to do a proper cook up than what was spent on this meeting.
Less this old geezer be called less than fair in reportage of last night meeting, he has to pass on the one truth voiced by the ViceMayor. Given that staff serves the City under 'contract', they, City Manager and company, did not have to give up any of pay packet. Quite right, they did not and along with 'voluntary' reduction comes fewer work days. No pay, no work. AND, Silly Hall may well be closed on Friday.
What ever happened to belief of a 'contract' having no value if Marysville lands on 'queer street'.
Not wanting to give up entirely on efforts to reach out and touch, the last two items on agenda did receive my attention.
I reminded assembled denizens of Silly Hall of one of me favoured quotes; "It ain't what we know that gets us in trouble, its what we know ain't so."Mark Twain. Almost always have luck with Twain, but the stares back from the council members proved the mark was missed.
Lastly, reminded staff and council members of all ignoring the 'elephant' in the room. It not be the voters who did not pass a sales tax hike, or the real possibility of Marysville being chucked out onto 'queer street'. It be what all in the room knew but did not give voice to.
Out-sourcing police services to Yuba County would have city of Marysville in the black in a tick.
Truth be told, that arrow found its mark. Chief of Police Wallace Fullerton got 'beet red', tongues clucked and opinion heard from some council members.
One council member took offense to use of 'chuck out onto queer street', thought it to be a curse word, another thought me quite mis-informed, another thought me to be grand-standing, and one honest member of council told true. The Police Department of Marysville is tradition and it was never going to come to pass on their watch that it would be out-sourced to Yuba County. NEVER.
When last looked, there were two who gave comments, but the members of council kept thanking the 'one' member of the public who felt the need to share. One has to think, I was not the one referred to. Fancy that.
Latest visit to Silly Hall proves much. There be many in Marysville who will not attend meetings. Seems the local sport to post comment on local newspaper blog that trash one and all, hidden behind an alias. Mercy forbid if they would come out and show selves at meetings. I already knew that the denizens of Silly Hall care less if any member of the public comes to visit, last night just added to why folks local, question my attending.
I give me readers credit for being clever. You be 'Au fait' with the music placed at start of post. Now, imagine City Manager as mad Colonel Bogey and the rest is a right good giggle. At least I think so.
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