Why don't city council members blog? Maybe they don't like surprises

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Why don't city council members blog? Maybe they don't like surprises

Submitted by emmettoconnell on Sat, 11/04/2006 - 5:23pm.

At the Olyblog Coffee this morning, someone suggested that one of the reasons city council members may not blog (here or otherwise) is because of the "No Surprise" rule:

Commit to the “No Surprise” rule. If Councilmembers plan to bring up new information about issues on the table or new issues at Council meetings, they should provide their fellow Councilmembers and the City Manager no less than 48 hours notice. Information should be as inclusive as possible and address such issues as: Why are you bringing this issue forward? What outcome do you hope to accomplish?

Talk to one another. Communication, both formal and informal, is essential to an effective working relationship.

Work issues, not people. Councilmembers are expected to work on issues without personalizing them.

Vote and move on. Once an issue has been voted upon, Councilmembers should accept the vote and continue on with the important work that must be done, though this should not restrict debate on similar or related issues that come up for a future vote. If we are working together, we will achieve the best outcomes.

Work to build Council credibility. Council is most effective when it works as a whole. Individual Councilmembers should work to promote the credibility and positive image of the full Council.

Media. Agree to not use the media for personal gain or to make other councilmembers look bad.

Staff Analysis Requests. Agree that requests to the City staff for legal analysis will be brought to the full City Council for consideration.

This of course doesn't seem to ban any sort of blogging on the part of a city council member, but it would seem to stifle any sort of free wheeling public discourse, which would include blogging?

The "No Surprise" rule seems to be intended to create good, open dialog between the city council members, but not between the city council and the public. Which, in my mind tears down the "Council's credibility" (ironically one of the goals of the rule).

This stifling effect of the "No Surprise" rule was born out in the discussion around the ability of city council members to post information on their sections of the city's website. Before doing so (according to a rule up before the council this week), the city council member has to bring the information before the council.

Am I off here? I'd especially like to here from the two city council members that have accounts on this site.

emmettoconnell's blog
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No Surprises

Submitted by Robert Whitlock on Sat, 11/04/2006 - 6:20pm.

I am not sure how I feel about this. For one, I think that the council members are elected to make decisions about how the city is run, for the benefit of their constituency (the people who live in the city.) But I understand how it can be difficult to work in a group that has diverse opinions and perspectives. This rule would seem to be designed to promote inclusivity amongst council members, to enable a greater degree of trust to permeate the fabric of intra-council and city gov't relationships. Nothing wrong with that as far as I can see. Council members that trust each other is a good thing. I don't think that this "no surprises" rule says that they can't disagree on anything - or that they are supposed to agree on everything.

This is an interesting policy. It seems to be designed to promote intentionalism and inclusion, which I imagine would be helpful to the function of government.

Afraid to talk though?

Submitted by emmettoconnell on Sat, 11/04/2006 - 7:19pm.

Does it mean that if they are going to disagree with someone, that they need to check with them first? Seems... stifling.

Afraid to Disagree

Submitted by Robert Whitlock on Sat, 11/04/2006 - 11:13pm.

You have a point. It would be stifling if they had to check in before public disagreements. That would inhibit the proper function of a council, I think.

Discouragement from Blogging

Submitted by Robert Whitlock on Mon, 11/06/2006 - 11:19am.

It would be unfortunate if this rule did, indeed, discourage council members from blogging. I have enjoyed reading Congressman John Conyers' blog. I think a blog is a great way for public officials / politicians to maintain a rapport with the public, or their constituency.

Isn't a blog...

Submitted by Rick on Mon, 11/06/2006 - 11:40am.

...really for talking to constituents, though? I mean, if council members want to talk to each other, they can do so pretty easily in person, I imagine (maybe not, I don't know). It seems to me that having an ongoing conversation with constituents would be such a positive thing that I really can't understand why each member doesn't have a blog. Consider how much less flaming would occur on the Olympian if people could take their concerns directly to the individual council member and get a direct answer. I think it would improve the quality of discourse immeasurably.

When you think of the long and gloomy history of man, you will find more hideous crimes have been committed in the name of obedience than have ever been committed in the name of rebellion. -C.P. Snow

I haven't done a lot on this

Submitted by emmettoconnell on Mon, 11/06/2006 - 11:48am.

Maybe its part of my personality, but for as much talk I've put into this, I haven't really done much to encourage our city council to blog. Who wants to join me in emailing them to encourage them to get on the blog train?

I think a good start would be...

Submitted by Crenshaw Sepulveda on Mon, 11/06/2006 - 4:18pm.

getting them on the Soul Train first, and then maybe the blog train will follow.

I only got seventh-grade education, but I have a doctorate in funk, and I like to put that to good use.
James Brown.

"I would make it impossible for the covetous and avaricious to utterly impoverish the poor. The rich can take care of themselves."
^@^

How about a cluetrain?

Submitted by emmettoconnell on Mon, 11/06/2006 - 4:45pm.

How about a cluetrain?

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