I have been a regular attendee at the city council meetings for the last three years and, as we approach another election, I wish to voice my concerns regarding the structure of those meetings. There are seven elected officials: a mayor and six council members who in theory share the responsibility for governing the city. Perhaps that is so, but to the observer the reality is less clear-cut: one speaks and six sit quietly by. Except for testimonials to the bravery, brilliance or longstanding residence of any and all appointees, retirees or other honorees, the council routinely limits its public statements to "I vote aye" when they are polled regarding legislation. Rarely is there any explanation of their support for the resolutions or acknowledgement of the alternative opinions expressed by the audience and yet we are asked to re-elect them based on their performance in office. How should I assess that performance if they have been unwilling or unable to speak in a public forum - by the runaway spending or by the steadily mounting deficit or by the council meetings that go into executive session and remove the public for oversight? I cannot and will not assess performance based on the verbiage of election propaganda, so I challenge the entire council, but particularly those who seek re-election, to think and speak independently. There is a budget crisis staring us all in the face and another round of "I vote aye" will not solve it.

Joan Hawkins