To Name or Not to Name - what about anonymous posts? In a perfect world, I'd love to see everyone talk to each other in the open. If the world were that perfect, though, I wouldn't need this Blog, would I? Anonymous posting is fine with me if that makes someone more comfortable with sharing a thought. Though I do think it would work better if people would choose some sort of name - say "Genius One" perhaps - because first I can recognize and connect that person's opinions if they post more than once, and secondly that makes it easier for me to direct a response to their comment. I would like to think that over time people will be more willing to self-identify, or maybe stop me at City Hall, shake my hand and say "hey, I'm Genius One!" Then we're really getting somewhere.
posted by Michael McNees at 6:34 PM
29 Comments:
From Pat2:
I agree, at least you know who to respond to that way, instead of saying "this is to the person that said so-an-so".
Pat2
Cant you see whats going on here? 141k a year and you have no clue.
If your CIO is not smart enough to shut this Blog down until it can be properly controlled, you need to order it done.
To allow this anarchy to continue is detrimental to the good of the city.
Always leaping before you look. That seems to the be motto in your IT Department.
Mr City Manager,
Anonymous or not, I believe the question deserves an answer. Is it really so important to connect a name to the point being made? It hardly takes a "genius" to see what is obvious. It would appear that you simply would prefer to ignore the issue. Should we all wait and feign surprise when it appears in the paper?
I must be sort of slow... but I don't think this blog is even hosted by the city of Sarasota - so the "CIO" can huff and puff but won't knock down this server.
What is this "properly controlled" thing? How do you control what free people think and do?
Is the city manager participating in free speech a very bad thing?
Ima Little Slow
I may be a little slow too, Joe, but I know the difference between a personal attack and "open dialogue and the honest exchange of ideas", which are the goals of this Blog. As of yet I haven't controlled it's content in any way, which was my decision not the IT department's. And you're right, the Blog platform is Google's, not I.T.'s, and it certainly allows for control.
To anonymous, you don't say which question I haven't answered, if it's one regarding a 15-year old employee issue I have already stated I won't be addressing issues regarding individual employees here. To answer Pam2's question, if someone has such an issue they need only call my office, I will be happy to speak to them privately.
As a board member of a neighborhood association who has been “learning the ropes,” I have found minutes of city meetings invaluable. I understand that, beginning in October, only abbreviated minutes will be produced. I also understand that captioning for the hearing impaired is to be provided.
Will it be possible to turn that captioning into meeting transcripts that would be available to the public for purchase and accessible through googling, as are currently produced minutes, or will we need to purchase meeting tapes for complete review of proceedings.
Second question: When the City Commission takes its meetings on the road, will they still be televised? A great many interested citizens find Channel 19 a wonderful resource and already attend your meetings in their living rooms?
And…thanks for the blog, and the opportunity to ask questions such as this
Anarchy? When was the opportunity to have a dialogue regarding City issues- anonymous or not- considered anarchy. I'm actually glad the City Manager has elected to pursue such a venue. It has been with great interest that I have followed the proposed parking projects downtown- in particular the (now defunct?) Plaza Verde project. I now understand that the Ersa Grae team is now meeting behind the scenes with both the City Manager and the Commissioners individually inorder to convince them that the City should give them the property- because through no fault of their own, the project went south. This, in particular, is an interesting comment. As I have heard from others more closely connected with this RFP to the contrary. It is my understanding that the Ersa Grae team actually brought the Opera to the City Manager prior to the RFP being issued. This certainly has the appearance that the Opera was already invested with the Ersa Grae group prior to an RFP being issued. The City Manager in turn amended the RFP that was previously approved by the CRA and its Advisory Board without formally having it approved again. Two years later the deal falls apart and the Developer is now pleading they had nothing to do with involving the Opera? Please! Mr. McNees, I believe if the City has anyone to hold responsible for this whole debacle, it would fall on your shoulders alone for agreeing to such a "deal". Now it appears that instead of taking a fresh look at what the City should do with the land, it would appear that you're still lobbying our elected officials behind the scenes to work with Ersa Grae, and give them City land without any further RFP or competitive bidding process. The Developer cries of how much money they have invested in this project as if that reason alone is enough not to dismiss this project outright. Eras Grae knew the risks of involving all the private interests they proposed in their grandiose plan that was selected, and the Citizens of this community have been made to pay the price as well- almost two years of still waiting for badly needed parking in the lower main area. This Developer was dismissed from the project by the CRA Board- time to move on and get the process right this time. The public is growing tired of these backroom deals that appear to be taking place in your office.
Yikes, where do these things come from? Most of the rumors you're repeating even I haven't heard, and there are only one or two of them that even intersect with the truth on more than a point or two.
First, I have 4-8 meetings almost every day in my office, which I guess are all "behind the scenes", though the door is rarely closed. That's because I meet with anyone who asks. But I'm not lobbying anyone for anything with respect to Ersa Grae, which includes their well-known desire to move forward with their Plaza Verde Project. Also, the version of events you've been given regarding how the whole Opera/Esra Grae/City RFP process took place is pretty much complete fabrication. It's easily verifiable that city representatives, myself included, had discussions with the opera long before we'd even heard of Ersa Grae Corporation. The inference that somehow I got in cahoots with Ersa Grae to deliver the project to them is balderdash of the highest order. The statement that Ersa Grae brought the opera to my office is also an absolute fabrication. I'd PLEAD with you to bring your source and come on down to my office, we'll have one of those "behind the scenes" meetings of our own and get the truth on the table!
Mr. McNees,
If you actually had as many meetings as you claim, can you explain why the Opera was not included in the RFP that was approved by the CRA and its Advisory Board? If what you say is true and these meetings took place, why didn't you have a better idea of just what the Opera was going to require in exchange for developing their Pavillion parcel? Could you also explain why- after these exhaustive meetings- with other City officials as well- inclusion of the Opera was not back before the CRA to be approved in the RFP? Your position is untenable in the fact that your decision to include the Opera in the RFP at the last moment (and without the formal approval of the CRA to do so) placed the entire project at risk of another failure, ultimately born out in the events of the last few weeks.
Mr. McNees: Yes, there is a difference between personal attacks and open dialogue and honest exchange of ideas. I agree that the personal attacks need to be stopped and if someone has information about an employee doing something wrong, they need to bring that forward in the proper channels. You cannot be anonymous when it comes to attacking a person integrity, at least you cannot be if you want to be taken seriously. I certainly do not want my city wasting time digging up issues 15 years ago to apease someones frustration that it did not go their way. I want my city spending time making this a better place, however the commission feels the citizens see fit. Thank you for your insight and kind words.
If it makes you feel better to tag me with blame for how the Plaza Verdi process/project went, so be it. I am compelled to point out however that you are poorly informed as to how things evolved at the time. And I said only that we met with the opera, making no reference to "exhaustive meetings."
Frankly, when you start your sentences with "if what you say is true", and when everything I am saying is demonstrably true and in the public record, I have to wonder whether it's the truth you're interested in or just finding someone to blame. But as I said, if blaming me helps you, I'm glad to be of service.
Everyone here knew that trying to bring more parties into the project, i.e. the Opera and the Golden Apple, would make the project much more difficult to pull off, whoever the developer was. There was also a belief in the potential for something really amazing if we could also secure the Opera's long-term presence downtown and help the Golden Apple upgrade and stay downtown in the process. It was a difficult, very high goal, and we didn't quite get there. So you are correct in identifying that as "risk", and it did bring down the project.
I suspect that in the next iteration the city will be much more risk-averse. But I can't agree that there is something wrong with aiming high the last time. If we only try to do things where we know success is guaranteed and outcomes are certain but ordinary, we don't stretch very far. Is that the kind of Sarasota people really want to see?
NO!!!!
To Anonymous 6:07 PM - (found a way to identify you!) - Thanks for the comment - I agree that to call someone out by name, but do it anonymously, is in poor form. Some would say it's cowardly, and I would be hard pressed to disagree.
I am glad to see the number and variety of comments that are being posted. It is also fascinating to read the wild rumors.
I think this is a great way for people to let off steam and to share some constructive ideas with the City Manager.
I think this is very therapeutic as well mary anne! Could you please respond to comments regarding the Orange Dolphin Blogs in the September 9th posting?
From Pat2:
Mike, something that happened 15 years ago is not your problem, but the person who did alot of things, Bill Hallisey, is still in his position,with no apparent dicipline at all.
I think people feel that this is all public record and since you are have been told of certain happenings, you should check them out.
I do not feel you are to blame for any of those old items at all, but it wouldnt hurt to check out the validity. If i worked at a bank and stole money 15 years ago and they just now found out, I think I would still have to face the music, even though it would mean "digging up old stuff".
To anonymous 9:11pm: don't call names; we're all upset over stuff, but name calling will only get this blog shut down. Make suggestions instead! Call your commissioner and tell them what you heard here!
As far as you having many meetings a day, anybody can probably look at your schedule book and see how many you hold, and it's probably a lot.
and please put a space in your blogs every few lines; these old eyes hurt from reading so much!
Thanks, Pat2
Ms. Serrie - My understanding is that the closed-captioning does end up in a transcript of sorts that we will get. As far as televising the meetings "on the road", I'm sure it's possible, our TV folks serve under Mr. Robinson, and I'm sure they'll be looking at that.
If people are really interested in the parking issue, get a copy of the parking study. It is easy to see the areas that are priority based on need and not politics.
I would like to say that one of our City employees, Todd Kucharski, is one of the best assets the City has. Todd is very conscientous & takes his job very seriously. He is right on top of everything & I am glad that the City had the insight to hire him. Lets make sure we keep him!!
Thanks for noticing Todd and taking the time to mention it. We want to keep him too!
In response to the City Manager's response to 2:45- as you have said that everything is public and in the open- are you currently having meetings with Mr Christner or his representatives on a proposed 180' tall building to be located on the two properties running from Pineapple to Orange and fronting on Dolphin Street? Do these conversations (if they are happening) include discussions as to the City participating in the form of land purchases or City subsidies? Finally, are there any of the Commissioners involved in these meetings (if they are occuring)?
Lemme guess...Todd Kucharski wrote that about himself at 11:38am today. :)
To 12:06 - That's an easy one - the answer is no.
Excuse me....Todd K did not write the compliment, I did for all the assistance he has given me. I guess I shouldn't have remained anonymous, and won't from now on when someone deserves a pat on the back.
It is important to be able to sound off. Something that the Chief of Police will not entertain. He will respond to suggestions that do not have a signature because you should be proud of your opinion and be willing to sign it. What he does not understand is the fact that just being able to express a concern without fear of reprisal (and we know that happens!!) gives the person a feeling of being heard and that anxiety is diminished. For all of his breakfast meetings, etc Chief Abbot misses the boat on understanding the human psyche in a place that can be demeaning and sometimes just plain "mean".
To 7:28PM
I'm a little confused as to your reference to Abbott. What do you mean? I believe he is doing a very good job, communicates WHEN HE HAS TO, and is fair. All he has done, from what I'm hearing, is ask the officers (especially) those making big money TO JUST EARN THEIR PAY.
Please explain what you mean about him "not being able to sound off"
What I meant to state is that Chief Abbot will not respond to suggestions that ARE NOT signed. No one said anything about being fair or not. . .I did not say anything about what he asks officers to do either. What I was stating is the need to have a place to put your opinions without fear of retribution and Chief Abbot does not understand that need.
If you cannot put your name to things you feel are morally wrong or really need to be changed and think you will be punished for your suggestion - then you are the problem. People need to get out of behaving like they are in 3rd grade and grow up. This is the real world and you need to have principles and stand for what you feel is right. Serious issues require serious and deliberate people working for change not some whimp that cannot stand behind his words.
Navigating the web site, I found (on home page):
Submit Questions, Requests, Complaints
Talk to the City Manager--Visit His Blog
Capital Improvement Projects
Living In Sarasota
Business and Development
Visiting Sarasota
Inside City Government
Online Services
City Calendar
Employment Opportunities
City Commission Agendas/Minutes
Ordinances & Resolutions
2004-08 Strategic Plan
Flood Safety & Insurance Info
Each a link (I believe). I was looking for the e-mail addresses of the sitting commissioners. Maybe a "CONTACT US" page.
Must have missed it. Then I noticed the link "Online Services," and thought "a bit redundant, that."
Then thought that "City Calendar" was more properly a subset of "Inside City Government."
And, if the "Living in Sarasota" & "Visiting Sarasota" are kept, might they not be listed one after the other (since there is no apparent organization [alpha, etc] to the present layout)?
And the "Street Closure Hotline" so prominantly displayed suggests one get offline and call. But, if one clicks, one is taken to large, slow loading image files and a list of construction projects [Last updated 07/15/05] rather than the anticipated list of street closures.
May I suggest that you borrow a laptop with a 56K modem and take an hour to go off and play "citizen with a question."
Here are4 a couple to get you started:
What is that [blankety blank] commissioner's e-mail address?
When is the garbage collected on my street?
How do I dispose of an old TV set (these blankety blank trashmen won't take it)?
I've been a resident for 15 years, why are you still holding my water deposit?
I'm sure you can think of more. But I think adopting the persona of an average citizen with the minimal Internet connection and trying to "discover" the answers on your web site will be instructive.
After all, if it takes a Citizens Academy course to learn how to get the basic questions answered, maybe its the system rather than the citizens that need [re-]training.
You may respond to MrAdolph@isntso.com
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