Dear Reader,
In the past short months, we’ve been introduced to the arena of web journalism. Not personal journalism (i.e. my own blog), but free-access community journalism on an intimate, local level. Our website is not just a social networking site, or just a bulletin board, or just a hub for bloggers to park their blogs. It’s all of these, and it’s somewhat of a newspaper, with breaking news, updates, opinions, public announcements by high-profile individuals and leaders of our community. This has all happened fast, and it’s great to see.
This has also been a crash course in “how to be a publisher” for me. In our short history as a community site, I’ve made some missteps, the most recent of which was my posting of an e-mail I received. In my excitement to receive supportive feedback, I posted the e-mail in the spirit of “letter to the editor.” However, we didn’t officially have a procedure in place for this sort of submission (we’ve had a policy to group-vet original article posts, but have been looser on submitted follow-up comments). Our Editor pointed out this lapse of judgment and the post was removed.
I regret my error and apologize to the sender. I have made several attempts over the past couple days to correct the situation by contacting the sender, but have not succeeded thus far. The removed comment has generated interest and some conjecture among our readers, so I will continue to follow up with the sender in an attempt to achieve clarification.
Again, I am sorry to have created an inconvenient situation for all those involved, and I can assure that person and all visitors to our site that we as a group are putting procedures in place and refining our policies to ensure that this sort of scenario is never repeated. We believe in open communication and want to provide a trustworthy channel for those seeking a voice.
Tom Neal said:
As CW gets its sea legs, it’s reasonable to expect a stumble or two, particularly in the choppy waters associated with local politics. But, I think CW has charted an admirable course so far, providing a venue where people can enter and participate … or choose not to. We should all bear in mind that the answers to many community questions, indeed the questions themselves, are found chiefly among the readers and contributors to the site. Going forward, the community’s input … questions, opinions and most important, knowledge … will define the extent of impact CW can have on furthering the growth of our town and its people.
January 15th, 2008 at 10:38 am #
lindalaw said:
This being my initial experience w/CW, I had not read Alderperson Abitz’ letter but (have heard about it) and did peruse the Editorial Policy. Is it possible that her references to the mafia violated your policy #1 regarding civility? In my 12 year experience as alderperson I, too, had raged against (particularly) Mayors Kannenberg and Hess (God rest his delightful soul) regarding closed government. When it comes to the former, cigar-smoke filled rooms at the Elks Club was the norm for his time; the Open Meeting Law eventually changed that. As for then-Mayor Hess I was the first to levy criticism against “closed meetings” between the executive and administrative branches of city government with the private sector, ignoring the legislative branch (i.e., Common Council). There were also too many closed sessions of the council in my opinion where the public was shut out from important facts and decision-making. Everything changes when you’re mayor. Of course you cannot and do not violate the Open Meeting Law. Period. However, if you want to partner with the private sector and spend its money, or land its business to create jobs and economic activity, a number of sessions (with a literally closed door) must take place between a mayor, her staff (especially legal/finance/community development/planning) and the private sector. There is nothing wrong with this, it’s practical. Wausau Benefits, for example, considered a number of sites in Wausau proper, Rib Mountain, Weston and status-quo and its officials were adamant -repeat adamant - that should news of their plans leak to the community - they were finished. A wise mayor - her wise staff - (never violating the Open Meeting Law!) - honor this. I almost always included Common Council committee chairs in these sessions, so that when it came time to involve the appropriate committee, they were ON BOARD to the issues. Sometimes, then, committee members (such as perhaps, Alderperson Abitz? who doesn’t chair, such as the likes of Alderpersons Rosenberg or Gale), cry “CLOSED MEETINGS!!” All things are NOT equal on city council, county board, the state legislature, or Congress!! There are chairmen (pack leaders) and everyone else. This doesn’t mean anything is illegal, there’s no money under or over the table, no horse heads in bed when you awaken, just a system that requires prudence, balance and good timing - all of which go into the stew of pretty darned good (but could always be better) governance. I’d say Wausau’s track record for the past decade speaks for itself in valuation (tax base), diversity and viability of its business and industry. Could be better? Sure but the national trends brought on by “globalization” are tough to buck.
January 15th, 2008 at 12:23 pm #
Barry Liss said:
emails, like letters (without some prior contract of confidentiality) tend not to be considered part of the private domain…if someone sent an email and it was received by someone else - that someone else may share its contents (again, without a prior contract of confidentiality)…
Barry
January 15th, 2008 at 12:25 pm #
Dino Corvino said:
Barry,
I firmly, and gigantically disagree. Journalistically, someone who does not know they are a source, is not a source.
Unwillingly quoting someone is a great form of journalistic hubris, arrogance, avarice, meanness, and bad manners.
We cannot, and should not, as content providers use relationships such as that against the persons will.
Marcus corrected this with an apology, and it will not happen again.
January 15th, 2008 at 1:01 pm #
Tom Neal said:
Great to see Mayor Lawrence chime in with some very useful insight. Thank you, Mayor (I continue to think of you in that sense). It’s only natural for a dubious (and too often, marginally engaged) public to prick up their ears when this or that power-charged word or phrase is uttered, particularly in an election cycle.
Barry, hello there. While I defer to your clarification of the confidentiality point, I’d say it was right neighborly to pull something back that wasn’t intended for posting. An old colleague of mine once told me, “never put anything in writing that can come back on you.” Advice I haven’t really followed religiously myself.
January 15th, 2008 at 1:04 pm #
Barry Liss said:
Legally, there is no expectation of privacy from email… morally, ethically - that’s another story…I am just saying if someone is concerned about getting sued, they shouldn’t be, if someone is worried about burning relational bridges that’s another story.
Barry
January 15th, 2008 at 2:27 pm #
drrent said:
This is a double edged sword. I never put anything in writing unless I am comfortable about the statement if it was released. With verbal comments, there is plausible deniabily.
However, I can attest that if what I thought was a private communication later turned out not to be, it would open a large amount of distrust and I guarantee that would be the last written communication the offending party would ever receive from me.
Notes to people writing things… don’t say anything you wouldn’t mind being posted out there for the world to see.
Notes to people doing the posting of writings not intended to be posted…. beware of how doing so will affect your image to your readers and how note how quickly potential sources that you may have counted on to keep you in the loop as to what is going on outside of the public eye magically dry up.
January 15th, 2008 at 3:15 pm #
Jim Carlson said:
We live in an era where we can instantly publish anything, at anytime.
What often is missed is the damage that misinformation, unauthorized reposts and unsubstantiated rumors can cause to the integrity of the media, the poster and the unintended source.
With internet archives, not all content posts are retractable. Following ‘traditional media’ reports, people have been denied jobs, been fired and had their image tarnished based on what they innocently posted on their own Facebook, MySpace, Flickr and other social media sites. Again, these people willingly posted the data with little regard to the future unintended consequences.
This media is very powerful and should remind all of us to think about the possible consequences of posting our thoughts to a public forum which represents our community and ourselves.
January 15th, 2008 at 4:01 pm #
lindalaw said:
Say, Dino (DWC?)…when did you ever deal with me, ah, “professionally” where I was found to be so, ah, lacking? Did I equivocate about what to order at SSS&P? Have we even met?? lindalaw
January 15th, 2008 at 5:49 pm #
Jim Rosenberg said:
I’m thinking that perhaps you are confusing Dino with a poster on the Wausau Daily Herald board that goes under the screen name of DBC? (Anyway, that’s not Dino. It’s somebody else.)
January 15th, 2008 at 7:23 pm #
Dino Corvino said:
Linda,
For the record, I had a giant crush on you. Just so you know.
We have met. One of my favorite pub stories was kayak race weekend, when the street was closed.
You might know the rest.
I am not that guy. I live my life outloud, so I sign my name to what I write.
I am just a guy, who had a crush on the mayor.
But, I am sorry to say I have moved on, and I have another crush.
January 15th, 2008 at 7:45 pm #
Dino Corvino said:
And for the record, we met 3 other times when we were introduced at grown up (for my fashion taste) functions. You even remembered me once, and told me a good joke.
But it was like 100 years ago it seems.
January 15th, 2008 at 7:47 pm #
oldwoodchair said:
For someone who is not generally a “blogger” I seem to be doing a good deal of blogging of late. Partially it is thanks to this site, which I have been following since day one and have found it interesting, informative welcoming, and at times, amusing. But what began as passive reading turned into passionate involvement when I read Marcus’ piece on where Wausau is going in 2008, and the now notorious mistaken posting of Alderperson Abitz’s email. (On that note, by the way, Marcus, errors and misunderstandings happen and I believe we all understand & identify with that.)
And now the apology is made and it seems we are on to discussing responsible journalism and confidentiality and integrity of media and crushes and everything else except the issue that initiated this discussion thread and that still most concerns me…the information in that mistaken post from Alderperson Abitz…that our government is holding closed meetings, underhanded dealings, and is like a little mafia…(geez, I’m getting weary of typing those words!)
But am I the only one who is concerned with those concepts???…with the fact that one of our representatives on the Council has knowledge of, at the least, innapropriate actions by our officials???…is that subject so accepted and standard that we barely take notice of it?? Are we so apathetic of our local government that we can read those words and then shrug our shoulders and go on to other things???
Robert M. Hutchins said, “The death of democracy is not likely to be an assassination from ambush. It will be a slow extinction from apathy, indifference, and undernourishment.”
Please humor me at my attempt to be civic minded, especially at this time of local elections. But these are the questions I would pose:
If Alderperson Abitz has knowledge of unethical or illegal behavior by our public officials, in the 2 years of her term, has she ever addressed these issues with an ethics board, whether state or local?…is she willing to step up to be that community hero?
Has the Council Chairperson been informed of these allegations?
Has the Mayor been informed of these allegations??
Are other Alderpersons aware of any of these allegations???
Has she provided the facts of this supposed activity to anyone who can take action?
Is anyone investigating????…and if not, why not???
So you tell me, citizens, representatives, & advocates of Wausau, will we be apathetic and go on our comfortable way?…I think the new season of American Idol has started on tv tonight…maybe we should go watch that…..
Comments, anyone?
January 15th, 2008 at 10:49 pm #
Dino Corvino said:
Chair,
For the most part, the content of what Abitz said is sort of irrelevant to ME. Not to you I see.
But I think that, if I may hazard a guess, that sometimes those on the losing end of the stick, or in the battle, often feel the need to vent. I think that is waht this was, or at least that is how it read to me.
January 15th, 2008 at 11:03 pm #
oldwoodchair said:
Dino: please define “the losing end of the stick” and how that would pertain to my concerns.
If I am being unreasonable, or my concerns are unreasonable, I would appreciate that feedback.
January 15th, 2008 at 11:10 pm #
Tom Neal said:
That inadvertently posted e-mail did not make any allegations; it merely addressed how the public might perceive closed meetings negatively, and that our local government should be as transparent as possible. Mayor Linda’s contribution above explained the occasional need for discreet meetings involving the private sector, and the city’s faithful adherence to open meetings laws. I’d say that just about covers ‘chair’s concerns. It would likely be more fruitful (and less Quixotic) to address actual, current goings-on in local politics, things being addressed in open meetings, things in the public record and things on candidate’s campaign platforms. Can we move on to substance?
January 16th, 2008 at 7:35 am #
Dino Corvino said:
Chair,
I think your right. I think your questions are AMAZINGLY valid, and important for us all to look at.
The stick for me is the conflict. The battle in the chambers. Sometimes in getting battered, we sometimes need to speak out.
But your right. And dont worry, I might be more overtly political going forward.
WATCH OUT NOW
January 16th, 2008 at 10:05 am #
milster said:
Just thought I would chime in.
I do think that a special meeting of the City common council should be called by chairperson Hadley to talk about the Abitz blog. If there are any City personnel doing anything under the table or unethical it MUST be addressed by the City attorney. If not I think Sherry should resign or pull out of the alderperson race. We cannot trust anyone that spreads unfounded rumors and they should not be on the City council. I think it is Deb Hadley’s duty to find out what is going on with Abitz.
Anyone Agree?????
January 16th, 2008 at 7:18 pm #
Dino Corvino said:
Milster,
I think it would be appropriate for you to speak to Marcus about the content of the email, in regards to any percieved issues.
It was not our intention to damage a City Council person with this action, but I do not think it is my place to comment on the actual content of the email.
Again I believe that a mistake was made, and Citizen Wausau endeavored to correct it.
January 16th, 2008 at 8:05 pm #
sparkler said:
I agree with Milster. Obviously, the letter/email/whatever has caused enough uproar that it needs addressing. Whether it makes direct allegations against certain parties or just eludes to them, it’s obviously an issue. The fact that the information is no longer publicly accessible is making the situation worse, causing more creative ideas of what it may have said or eluded to.
I am not blaming anyone here, obviously it was probably not meant to be public in the first place. However, it’s causing concern among citizens and that should be enough to have some sort of forum to address the author and determine what truth was really behind the letter.
If she wants to shed light on inappropriate behavior, then she should be reporting it to the appropriate people and getting it taken care of that way, not spouting off in random emails. If there is no real inappropriate behavior, then it should not be eluded to in any way as it can be damaging to the image and credibility of anyone involved with the city government. Not to mention, her own.
January 17th, 2008 at 1:11 pm #
Jim Carlson said:
CW posted unauthorized correspondence, has retracted it and apologized. Right or wrong, the post was made public, was read by the CW community and has generated quite a bit of interest.
The remaining issue is the accountability of Alderperson Abitz. As an elected public figure, Alderperson Abitz must understand that she is under greater scrutiny for her words that your average citizen. I fully understand her words were never intended for public consumption, but quite frankly that does not explain why they were written to begin with. What was the point of the e-mail? Was it out of context, a joke? An over exaggeration? A rough day in city politics?
I agree with the sentiment of sparker, milster and oldwoodchair, just because CW has apologized for their actions does not make this issue go away. Alderperson Abitz some explaining to do.
January 17th, 2008 at 2:25 pm #
sparkler said:
I agree Jim, well said. Glad to know there are others out there that feel the same way!
January 17th, 2008 at 2:30 pm #
Tom Neal said:
Hi Jim (and sparkler),
Jim writes: “… words were never intended for public consumption, but quite frankly that does not explain why they were written to begin with. What was the point of the e-mail? Was it out of context, a joke? An over exaggeration? A rough day in city politics?”
Please go back and read my comment #16 above. It’s as simple as that. Conjecture and imagination and curiosity may be normal, but take it for what it was: an informal statement about openness in government and some people’s assertions that our local government is insular. The original e-mail didn’t assert that the government is insular. It addressed how some people who think it’s insular might also conclude there’s underhandedness afoot. It was an observation about people’s perceptions, not an accusation. Nobody should be expected to make a public statement just to assuage people’s curiosity about what was intended as a private comment. Respectfully, I suggest this is a dog-with-a-bone scenario. Why not let it go.
January 17th, 2008 at 2:57 pm #
Dino Corvino said:
Tom,
I think we are continuing this because of the times, and the scope of things.
We are not looking to comment on the letter, only the mistake made.
January 17th, 2008 at 3:07 pm #
drrent said:
so.. what is the lesson to be learned from this mistake?
Is it that one should not write to the Citizen Wausau “management” unless one is prepared to have the communication be posted here?
Or..
Is it that the Citizen Wausau “management” should refrain from posting on here written communications that were not intended for the general public?
January 17th, 2008 at 3:18 pm #
Jim Carlson said:
Tom - I truly respect your interpretation of the situation, but until Alderperson Abitz chimes in, we are all simply guessing.
January 17th, 2008 at 3:25 pm #
Tom Neal said:
Then, what, beat the mistake to death? People make mistakes. And I’m not talking about those celebrity “mistakes” like, “Oh, I made a big mistake when I got caught with a pound of coke in that car I ‘borrowed’ from a stranger and I was clocked doing 100 in a 25 as I tried to evade the cops and caused that little accident when I was drunk.”
Cripes.
Must be a slow news week.
January 17th, 2008 at 3:25 pm #
sparkler said:
Tom - we cannot “take it for what it was: an informal statement about openness in government and some people’s assertions that our local government is insular” without knowing exactly what it said. I for one, do not have “photographic” memory, nor do I have the letter saved anywhere; therefore, I cannot agree with your opinion of what it said. I’m not saying you are wrong, just that I cannot remember it word-for-word, and can no longer access it. Doesn’t the fact that an alderperson needed to vent things that could be mistaken or misconstrued as her opining there is possibly inapproriate behavior flowing through our local government concern you at all? Are you an optimistic pacifist? Or are you trying to steer us away from investigating into things? (Do not take that as an accusation, simply a question of your reason behind a lack of desire or unwillingness to divulge into this issue further).
January 17th, 2008 at 3:42 pm #
Dino Corvino said:
The second lesson Dr Rent.
Much much much firmer processes are in place for something to get posted as an article.
January 17th, 2008 at 3:58 pm #
Dino Corvino said:
And DrRent, I think Marcus is learning a lesson here.
January 17th, 2008 at 4:00 pm #
oldwoodchair said:
What a can of worms this has become. Or more accurately, 2 cans of worms. Indulge me while I address the first worm-can:
Marcus made an error in judgement by posting an email that he now believes was not meant for public consumption. OK…errors in judgement happen to us all and I really don’t think (and certainly HOPE not) that anyone here wishes to continue to take him or this blog-site to task for that. We all live & learn and just try to do the best that we can in the moment, and I firmly believe that he posted that email with only the best of intentions. So I think the defense of Marcus’ action can rest….I know I don’t hold it against him and hope that the other readers and writers here don’t either.
So, the first open can of worms should be re-sealed, per the ever-sensible and vigilant Dino, and put to rest, never to be opened again.
Now, the 2nd can of worms. That can was opened by Councilperson Abitz when she, as an elected public official, produced written comments that were derogatory of the legal and ethical operation of our local government. I trust that Alderperson Abitz honestly believes that the practices she wrote about are going on…and I also believe that she must have knowledge and proof that those practices are going on, or why else would she write about them in an email to a blog administrator??…she must have SOMETHING CONCRETE to base those comments on! So logically, I have to question why she has not addressed those issues in the 2 years that she has served the public?
The only logical thought that occurs to me is that perhaps Councilperson Abitz has not publicly reported unethical practices for fear of retribution….but that of course, begs the question…retribution from who? (or is that “whom”) In her email, she didn’t specify who the “little city hall mafia” was…is she talking about city staff?…or city leaders?…or other council members?? Would she not feel secure approaching the council chair to discuss her concerns? Does she feel constrained from telling what she knows?
Perhaps milster has it right…perhaps the entire common council needs to address this issue…perhaps, if Alderperson Abitz has qualms about coming forward on her own, the council, committee chairs, and city leaders… need to step in to pursue open and honest conversation on the issues that Abitz wrote about.
I could be way off base on this, but there must be an ANSWER!
And Tom….(and I say this with the utmost respect for your opinion)…I don’t think it’s a slow news week as long as these issues remain unanswered.
January 17th, 2008 at 8:38 pm #
mapletownshrub said:
I think Ms. Abitz is full of it. The election is coming up and she knows that she has not been painted in a good light during her term. If you read the herald boards she is criticized all the time for uninformed questions during meetings, City pages criticized her for being a part of a voting block (open meetings I think not), and for bad behavior during meetings. I think she truly believes that by criticizing others she will be distinguishing her self from “The establishment”.
Unless she comes forward with any proof or documentation I will chalk this up to jealousy on Ms. Abitz’s part. She has not accomplished anything during her term and the only reason we are talking about her now is her stupid e-mail.
I don’t think she fears retribution, her best friend is Deb Hadley Council President.
January 17th, 2008 at 9:05 pm #
Dino Corvino said:
No one has ever ever ever accused me of being level headed. So lets dispense with that non sense.
I think it is fair to ask the questions about City Hall, but maybe we could try to remove them from this context…ie Marcus action.
I say this…if you have information, credible or other wise…send it to me. If you have questions you want asked, send them as well.
But as far as emailing goes, especially to someone who is not a writer by trade, it goes without saying that it might have just been an email.
But, lets not seek out conspiracy. Lets seek ways to get me to look dumb I say.
I am hardly afraid of making an idiot of myself, or following up on something. So, lets take Marcus out of this role, and give it on over.
Right now I am working on the parking thing, and a nice general rant.
So, shoot me emails…we can pound this dead horse together.
dino@citizenwausau.com
But, for the record, I forgot what Abitz wrote.
January 17th, 2008 at 9:09 pm #
oldwoodchair said:
Dino: As far as I’m concerned, and I thought I made that clear in my last post, that Marcus is out of it…his error has been corrected and it’s over & done with.
I’m a little dense myself, so please clarify something for me…when you say to remove the city hall stuff from this context, do you mean that, instead of discussing it here in open forum that we should instead email our thought, info, questions to you?…instead of talking about it with all the other bloggers? I’m misunderstanding, right?….please set me straight, as you do so well….
And if you forgot what Abitz wrote…go back to the original thread…I quoted it when it was still posted.
January 17th, 2008 at 9:20 pm #
oldwoodchair said:
mapletownshrub: I’ve never gone on the herald boards, so am unaware of any stuff being talked about on there. And guess I missed the City Pages “voting block” thing…what exactly were they referring to?
What I want is pretty simple….for Ms. Abitz to come forward and own up to her comments about city government practices. Either she’s got the candy to back it up, or she doesn’t…and then that’s a whole different issue.
January 17th, 2008 at 9:41 pm #
bluebunny said:
I’m relatively new to this site and have been reading about the issue concerning Councilwoman Abitz’s email comments. I didn’t see the actual email but have read some quoted phrases by “oldwoodchair” regarding closed meetings and under handed dealings and the mafia? I’m a Wausau voter and taxpayer and I’d like to see that email for myself! But I understand from what I’ve read that this site pulled it. Would Abitz be willing to re-post it? Has anyone even asked? I ask only because I’m surprised that I haven’t seen any additional comments from her. I would think she would want to defend her statements. Is she refusing to answer questions? I think that may be a big part of the conflict here; She refuses to comment on the email herself, and thus comes off as “shady”. Aren’t there open records laws when it comes to government officials? Anybody know anything about that?
January 17th, 2008 at 9:51 pm #
Dino Corvino said:
Bunny…Marcus has asked.
Chair…I think that your doing better than some about separating Marcus’ mistake from the story. But from my point of view, the story is the mistake that he made which contained the things your concerned about.
You see, without said mistake, this would not be a point of discussion, or rather it would be in a differant form.
Its hard for me, as I am unable to separate the two things.
But as far as emailing me, well the simple fact is I have no real insider comment. This is one of those brave face moments, grin and bear it type stuff.
Bunny…Abitz made no public statement. She sent an email to Marcus.
There are open record laws, but this is not a government office.
Bunny…Please go back and reread Marcus’ apology. He clearly states that he posted it, Ms. Abitz did not.
January 17th, 2008 at 10:20 pm #
oldwoodchair said:
Dino sometimes we step off a curb when the light says “walk” and we get hit by a car. Is it our fault for obeying the traffic signal or the car’s fault for hitting us? PEOPLE NEED TO SEPARATE THIS! Marcus needs to be taken out of the equation…maybe fate intervened…let’s assume that’s what happened…Marcus was a helpless victim of fate.
The fact remains that, however it happened, it came to our attention that an elected public servant said some derogatory things about the way our government is practicing, and mentioned that those practices would desist when the new adminstration takes over. ( I can’t quote that, but it’s burned into my memory.) This site is about everything Wausau…and right now, in an election season especially, when an elected official who is up for re-election makes statements or allusions as Ms. Abitz did, it is NEWS…and we voters have the responsibility to find out if it’s true, or false….that’s all I care about. And it’s apparently important to other citizens of Wausau as I haven’t seen this much activity on this site before this issue came up…this is the new “go to” site on the net, Dino!…so let’s not bother with pointing fingers at someone who make an error and corrected it…let’s concentrate on asking for…actually, demanding….relevant information on the issue at hand…our govenment’s reputation.
Further, I didn’t take Bunny’s question about open records to mean obtaining the email from CW…I assumed Bunny meant from the public official that wrote it….am I correct, Bunny?
January 17th, 2008 at 10:38 pm #
Kevin Rector said:
This is all getting really silly, can we please move on to something else? Somebody please write a meaningful article about something, anything that isn’t this topic. Here’s some ideas:
Proposed smoking bans.
The recent snowfall.
Snowmobile racing.
Drunk driving laws.
The pending elections.
The Wausau parks department.
Seasonal Affective Disorder.
Dogs (or cats).
The Baseball Hall of Fame induction.
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.
The polarization of American politics.
Why the Wausau area is awesome.
Why the Wausau area sucks.
Your favorite Mexican food recipe.
Your last vacation.
Eating locally.
Ok, pick one and write an article for us to read. Thank you.
January 17th, 2008 at 10:46 pm #
Dino Corvino said:
Your right Chair.
I am on it!
Expect words from me this weekend, maybe.
I mean it is going to be cold, so I might go see what is going on at the weston dog park.
January 17th, 2008 at 10:46 pm #
oldwoodchair said:
And Bunny…I’m not sure at all as it’s not in my knowledge base, but I’m sure you can contact either the City Clerk or the City Attorney’s Office to ask about the laws concerning open records. I would hazard a guess that it pertains to any public official who has written or received anything that concerns official business as a representative…and if I’m not mistaken, Alderperson Abitz did sign the email as District 11 Representative. Shoot, I think they can even go into a person’s hard drive now…go figure. But if you’re curious, ask the question.
January 17th, 2008 at 10:49 pm #
bluebunny said:
oldwoodchair…you are correct. I was merely petitioning Ms. Abitz, asking for her to repost the email or at least reiterate it’s contents here. I do think it’s crucial that she clarify on this issue since the issue is clearly not going to go away until some light is shed on exactly what she was hinting at.
I also agree that it is our responsibility as voters in a democratic system to make sure that our government officials stay “in check”, so to speak. After learning about what was purportedly in the elusive email, I personally would like reassurance that this is not the case and that our local system is not being corrupted. I’m sure that anyone concerned with the welfare of our city would want the same thing.
January 17th, 2008 at 11:07 pm #
bluebunny said:
Kevin…I believe this topic has very much to do with the pending elections. I don’t understand how anyone can think that it DOESN’T…?
January 17th, 2008 at 11:14 pm #
Tom Neal said:
Several writers have kindly stated that they respect my opinion, but either disagree or wish to delve further. First, thank you for the kind words, and I return the sentiment, sincerely. Second, it’s fantastic to see this much conversation on this CW thread, so thank you all for chiming in. Third, there’s an old tune by Jerry Jeff Walker, “Pissin’ in the Wind” that expounds on the futility (and foolhardiness) of pursuing unattainable goals.
I think we’ve arrived at the point where we all must realize that the original e-mail author’s right to remain silent on the subject of a private communication should be respected. The subject matter you are all concerned about (openness and legitimacy in government) is valid and something anyone can address with their own elected representatives, or through other editorial resources, including CW. But, I’d hope you all would address the questions from a position based in knowledge, not rumor, conjecture or hobbled by muddied memory. And it borders on bullyism to insist that another person must satisfy our curiosity against their wishes (this isn’t Watergate or Iran-Contra or Chappaquiddick; it’s a private comment).
If this issue concerns anyone this much, then it can be pursued forthrightly from other angles, hopefully without pitchforks and torches and certainly not armed with a set of mangled “quotes.” No doubt, the staff of CW itself will try to gain more knowledge about the workings of local government (as it has been doing for quite some time), but it won’t be in the form of an investigation of “allegations” … I’ve retained and re-read the original e-mail carefully and, in fairness, it contains no allegations, just observations about public perception of government tranparency (as I wrote in comment #16 above). I know it’s no fun to accept that fact, but there it is.
January 18th, 2008 at 8:42 am #
zeenawombat said:
Time to move on.
I’m sorry, but in an email that one sends to a single person there is an expectation of privacy just as there is within a conversation. Think of it as a vent, if a man says, “I hate my wife, she’s so stupid” to someone, he doesn’t expect that person to post it on a blog AND he probably was just blowing off steam, he may in fact love his wife and secretly know she’s WAY smarter than he is.
This is, I think what has happened. A private vent went public. How very embarrassing for everyone involved, but it needs to be let go now. (Hasn’t anyone ever written an email and been scared you might have accidentally hit “reply to all” instead of reply to sender…) I don’t think there’s a conspiracy or a mafia, I think there was letting off steam and private comments made public. period. And I think for the sake of everyone involved we should find something else to worry to death.
January 18th, 2008 at 8:52 am #