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this what we as residents and taxpayers are to expect from our elected officials. Although he loves <br />living here, at some point governance like this makes you feel like enough is enough. Mr. Bassin <br />stated that he does not think this is the end, but rather it is the beginning. He stated that a word that <br />has not been spoken tonight is recall. <br /> <br />Holston Black, Jr., 1336 Mendell Drive, University City, MO <br />rd <br />Mr. Black stated he would like to note that since becoming a resident of the 3 Ward he has noticed <br />ndst <br />a lot of negative feedback from residents who live in the 2 and 1 Wards. Mr. Black then stated <br />that if the rules were changed as proposed, the same two Councilmembers who are introducing <br />these resolutions would then start requesting special sessions to discuss their concerns because <br />they would no longer be unable to place them on the agenda. You have all these people here <br />tonight and nothing is getting done with respect to the City’s business. Mr. Black said this change <br />would produce the same result, numerous special sessions being called with nothing being <br />accomplished. Mr. Black stated that he was simply asking Council to make no changes to this rule <br />and allow two members of Council to add items to the agenda. <br /> <br />Rick Salamon, 8342 Delcrest, University City, MO <br />Mr. Salamon stated that he was here this evening to speak in opposition to the proposal to increase <br />the number of Councilmembers necessary to put a resolution on the agenda from two to three. He <br />stated that speaking from his three years of experience on the School Board he believed that two is <br />too many and that each individual Councilmember has a right to put an item on the agenda. On the <br />School Board individuals were allowed to place items on the agenda and even though they may <br />have been voted down, they had their day in court. He stated that he does not agree with many of <br />the resolutions being proposed, but believed that people have a right to propose them, a right to <br />discuss them and that Council should vote on them. Mr. Salamon stated that Robert’s Rules of <br />Order speaks to this in several different ways. First, the item can be placed on the agenda, <br />discussed and voted down; this kills the item until such time that it is reintroduced. The item can be <br />eliminated by postponing it indefinitely, which is done without debate, discussion or vote. He stated <br />that there is no need to change a Council rule when Robert’s Rules clearly addresses how to deal <br />with these situations. Mr. Salamon stated that everybody just needs to chill out a little bit. <br /> <br />Cheryle Jacobson-Cann, 6833 Waterman, University City, MO <br />Ms. Jacobson-Cann stated it has been embarrassing to see what our City Council has devolved to. <br />She stated that the in-fighting has no place here and the opportunity for citizens to speak out should <br />never be questioned. <br /> <br />Isaac Clark, 7575 Stanford Avenue, University City, MO <br />Mr. Clark stated that this City’s government which is akin to the government for this entire country is <br />meant to protect the rights of minorities as well as the majority. He stated that this Council’s actions <br />are similar to our National Congress; who can be baffling in their inability to pull themselves together <br />and vote on the issues presented to them. He noted that’s Congress where great ideas go to die as <br />they are torn apart by the motives of hundreds of people. This Council is a group of only seven. At <br />least hear the ideas of your colleagues before discarding them. Mr. Clark stated that this City’s <br />government is based on democratic principles that allow its members to vote on each issue with an <br />equal say. Mr. Clark stated don’t be the people who change the rules solely to temporarily benefit <br />themselves to the long-term detriment of others. How will you know what we want, if you won’t even <br />hear us? <br /> <br />John Rava, 7129 Washington Avenue, University City, MO <br />Mr. Rava stated that does not think that the resolutions are worthy of moving forward. He thought <br />the effort to stifle contrary opinion is unworthy in University City. Mr. Rava stated that he had <br />attended a Council meeting several months ago to voice his strong opposition to the Loop Trolley <br />project. His comments were included in the minutes and that process should continue. So while he <br />has reservations as to the origin of all of these proposed changes to the rules, all of them should just <br />be forgotten. <br />4 <br /> <br /> <br />