Great County Board meeting tonight!

[tanouryjr]

You all missed a great Board meeting tonight, but don't worry, I had a camera man on hand to tape the Ways & Means Committee meeting and the Democratic Caucus.

We voted in the begining of the year to open the caucus to the public (as should be the case). Tonight I had a cameraman on hand to tape the caucus because no one from the public actually goes to them and I thought it would be nice to broadcast them on the internet. However, two Democratic legislators decided not to attend the caucus because the camera was there. Then we had a long debate about it and a vote was cast on whether the camera should be allowed. I warned of the implications of selectively picking who can and can not attend the caucus and if it was "open" then it needs to be "open to ALL."

In the end the camera stayed, but read/watch more for the full story about why some may be intimidated by the public seeing them at work. I guess they will throw the "troublemaker" label at me again...Oh well, I wasn't elected to make "them" happy, I was elected to make "the people" happy.

I will have the full video up soon.

[tanouryjr]

I would add that Dan LaBella helped argue the case for keeping the camera in and recognized that the public's business should be open to the public. Great job Dan and Thanks.

[dgriffin]

You don't have to give names, if you don't want to, but what do you think were a few of the reasons why some didn't want the cameras? Did their reasons have to do with them personally or their politics?

[tanouryjr]

Not sure Dave, as they simply walked out. During the debate some raised questions about whether the video could be edited in a way that depicts them out of context. I actually conceded that this was for my personal use and that I can't make them say anything they don't say. I said I understood their concerns but that they needed to be more open to change. Again, if the caucus is open, it needs to be completely open. And if they can't take the scrutiny of their possible statements then they should reconsider being a public official. I receive plenty of criticism and anonymous hate mail, however I have thick skin and accept that as part of being an elected official.

[Ralph]

Well put Larry. The City's meetings and caucus have been open (and taped) for years. Time for them to get with the program or get out of the job.

[dgriffin]

Jul 30, 2008 23:23:25 GMT -5 @tanouryjr said:

... some raised questions about whether the video could be edited in a way that depicts them out of context..

I can understand that concern. We've all seen it done. Maybe a promise to let them use the same medium to explain themselves in that event. Which gets me to thinking. You should start a proboards for the council, for members only. It would be unofficial, of course, and you would get no where near full participation. But you could sell it as the Standard of Openness. Your mantra could be that if a lawmaker is not willing to be heard on Utica Public Debate (or whatever you call it) then he/she is not ready to take on the responsibility of leadership.

Someone like Frank can set up the board. If you want, I'd work with you on a couple of press releases for it.

[tanouryjr]

You know Dave, that's a great idea but unfortunately no one would take part and would simply write it off as a joke. They have the oppurtunity to come here and speak, and still don't. I've been coming here and speaking directly to you all about the issues, and I'm sure not everyone agrees with everything I do, but I can say that you have all been very cordial and respectful. It's been a pleasure.

You wouldn't believe the amount of public officials that don't even go on the internet. Then there are the others that claim it's not "legit." I am of the mindset that this is the most authentic place possible to get ideas and feelings from the public. It's impossible to knock on every door, everytime an issue comes up. So I think it's a great new medium and look what it did for Obama. Even just four years ago he wouldn't have been able to accomplish what he did. He did it because he had the best internet team and campaign.

Don't get me wrong, I still love the feeling of opening a fresh newspaper in the morning, but I think the internet can actually help print media and work together with it and feed off of it. It doesn't have to be either/or.

The full (38min) caucus video is uploading now and will be up in a few minutes. I played it in its entirety in order to prove that it was not meant for any purposes other than seeking a more open government. We've had open caucuses all year and I don't remember a single member of the public attending. People have busy lives (jobs, family, etc.), so they can't attend every government meeting. With that said, they still deserve to be able to see how their representatives are spending their money. This way they have the option of watching at their convienience from their computer at any time. Hopefully it works. I'm sure there will be criticism of some things I say, too. However, I am a public servant and with that comes accountability. I embrace that!

[tanouryjr]

By the way, after watching myself in the caucus (although I still believe I was correct in my arguments), I learned a little. I learned that sometimes I should probably keep my arguments a little shorter and to the point. I tend to get a little passionate and run on. So, I think there is a lot that can be learned from webcasting these meetings.

[stoney]

I plan to watch it on TV this afternoon.

[tanouryjr]

Stoney, the actual meeting (which will be on TV) was rather boring. Most meetings, at least until I got on there, are just a bunch of numb folks rubber stamping the legislation. This is why I wanted to start taping committee meetings and caucuses. That's where the real work is done and where questions are asked and answered.

Hopefully you were able to watch the Dem caucus video at my site. I don't know your internet connection but it's a flash video and should play when you click it. If not, try to just wait a moment while it loads and see if that works.

[boomer]

Hi guys,

Larry do you have a link to the new video? I find them fascinating, actually. I would turn up at these meetings if i knew when they were what is the scedule like there?

Also thank you for keeping at it. Now that you have them getting up to speed on that newfangled "open government" concept maybe they should address the recession like Peterson talked about, we can't afford to wait any longer like Picente says. Thats like a deer caught in the headlights. Tyical Oneida County. All these fat cats in the Govt will wait until we are totally broke before they start trimming the payrolls and spending.

[tanouryjr]

Boomer, I'm not too sure which new one but this is the most recent one I put together...

www.larrytanoury.com/firoini2.htm

It's kind of boring but is meant to show how upset the leadership gets when someone simply speaks independently. If you watch it, it was a rather innocent conversation/debate. I was actually acting bipartisan by sticking up for a Republican, and the Chairman still jumped down my throat.

The point is that these folks have been allowed to run things however they want, for so long, that they don't even know the rules anymore. The Chairman is not supposed to be able to debate a main motion unless he/she relinquishes the Chair. But he continually interrupts legislators while they are debating and argues his point of view in order to send the message to his fellow followers of where he stands on the issue, just in case the opposing person ends up swaying someone to their side of the issue. This is simply wrong, and is why we have parliamentary rules.