From The Desk Of Harold Doucet: FYI

There are TWO proposed ordinance for the upcoming city council meeting that deals with meals for city council meetings. The first is one proposed by Councilman Frank. It includes times or events where it would be legal to provide MEALS for council members and staff, AT TAXPAYERS EXPENSE. Some of those are ALREADY covered in the guidance from the GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTING OFFICE and the city's credit card policy. Councilman FRANK has added some more instances for the SOLE purpose of getting a FREE meal at TAXPAYERS EXPENSE. Councilman Frank has said, " I don't think the citizens would object to council getting a bag lunch at a cost of around $12 to $13 being that the council spends hours working hard to take care of the city's business. 1)However, he failed to ASK the citizens nor inform them of the fact they were ordering meals, at TAXPAYERS EXPENSE. Since I have been on council, the meals have come from cheddar or Saltgrass. ( Hum, $12-$13 ) lol 2) The meetings are scheduled for the entire year and the times are approved by the council. The morning meeting convenes at 9:30 a.m. and normally ends at about 1; 00 p.m. The close meeting starts after the regular meeting. ( Council can recess for lunch if desired, which has been done until the last council elected to order meals). The meals arrive around NOON. 3) The Closed session starts at 4:00 p.m. The Regular meeting starts at 5:30 P.M. The food is normally there at 4:00 P.M. Since I was seated on council, here's what councilman Frank is failing to say in his proposed ordinance, 1) ONLY councilmembers were ordering food. ( The staff have MORE hours working but only the council get meals) 2 ) The meals are rarely consumed during the meetings, but rather taken HOME after the meetings. 3) Given the meeting times, he would rather not eat before the meeting, to get a meal at TAXPAYERS EXPENSE. The ordinance wants to accomplish the task unless they change the credit card policy, which I see coming. Since I have been on council, Council members, Lewis, Beckom, Kinlaw, and myself have NOT eaten any meals. My Proposed Ordinance, simply states that the council will NOT be allowed to purchase meals for council meetings. If you DO NOT object, this should be of NO interest to you. If you DO object, you should attend the meeting and let YOUR VOICE be heard, if you are free. The items will be at the end of the agenda, so it will be afternoon. Remember, this is YOUR money and YOU decide who YOU want to oversee the management of it. If, YOU say NO, then WE should say NO. If YOU say NO, and WE say YES, WE need to GO.

P.S. 1. Council members receive a SALARY.

2. Council members can bring something to eat if they choose.

3. This was done without TRANSPARENCY.

4. Why ALL council members don't believe it is right?

5. If, you can't attend the meeting, make sure you let YOUR council member, at-large councilmembers, and mayor know YOUR thoughts about it.

I am bringing about transparency, as I have promised. I will support whatever is best for our citizens and city. If it is ok with you, it will be ok with ME.