TOP COPPER FIZZLES AT COUNCIL MEETING

Lamp advert for Marysville

My dears, it has been too long since this old geezer graced Marysville City Hall with a visit.  Last time there was to attend a city council meeting with regards to 'uncovered' living in the riverbed.

Due to the nature of the issue at hand, there were many folks at the council meeting and much was told to council members with regard to the problem.  That was then, this is now.

Last night, this old geezer attended another meeting of the city council.  Why not, it was a lovely night, live but round the corner from and what better way to be informed than to take part in the process of 'open government'.

Sadly, there were no 'burning issues' and members of the public stayed away in droves.  How very sad.

Not even the presentation of an award to young chap got much in the way of a crowd.  AND, the young chap and family departed as soon as award was presented.  More's the pity that as the young chap could have got a lesson on how government works.

The highlight of the meeting was the presentation of the Police Department Report by the Chief of Police.  A quick read of selected passages and it was done.  Council members were in a 'lovefest' mode with regard to the top copper and report and it barely got any reaction from council members.  Mind, toward end of meeting, council members 'air kissed' one another and made much ado about the report and the top copper, almost feeling smug at the low crime stats and all.  Nice to hear that the sworn members of the police department are mentioned so casual as being most important part of the picture.

Knowing no shame, this old geezer went up to the top copper and felt the need to ask questions of.  Chief Fullerton is a large man, with a commanding voice and a politician's face and handshake.  Mind, you do not get to be top copper without playing politics, it being a given that one would be kept at arm's length by the great man.

Chief Fullerton is 'open' as long as he likes the questions being asked and becomes apoplectic when he feels the public is not in awe of his 'greatness' or blinded by the many stars on uniform.  He shuts down and tells quite true that if he does not like questions asked, he does not have to answer.  Clever but true.

Unlike top copper of Yuba County, who has to go out and get elected, the top copper of Marysville is under 'contract' and feels no great need to deal with anyone other than city council.  Truth be told, that is the case and one has to go to local administration for answers wanted.  This very day a request was sent to city manager for information.

'Open Government' is only open if members of the public make an effort to attend meeting.  If elected officials and appointed officials speak loud enough to be heard and are truly interested in letting the public see that they are interested in what the public has to say.  From where I sat, it was hard to hear most speak and one could see the veil of boredom drop when a matter came up council was not fired up about.

Like the telly, last night's offering at city council meeting may have been an off night.  I will have to return oft to see if that be the case.  If nothing else, it will make for interesting visits in the future.