New Mayor reaching out to ask “How’s he doing?”
June 8th, 2007 | Published in City Hall, Comments Request, News, politics | 2 Comments
How is he doing? Really it’s more like what’s he up to..
The latest newsletter from our newly elected mayor touched on many items such as a change of pace and stronger communication with the citizens of Rowlett.
Highlights from his letter (which was really long)
*The new council is commited to reaching out to the citzens in a proactive way, rather than reactive.
*Removal of the censorship on the rebroadcast of the Regular Session meetings. (resolution expected June 19th)
*Ideas were presented to the council for a “Community Advisory Council” Todd Gottel is in charge of this project. You can email him directly to make your suggestions. tgottel@rowlett.com
*They are working on a way to monitor how the city employees respond to citizen emails/inquiries. Because you know government employees for the most part have a perminant stick in their…..and have no problem expressing it. Hopefully now they’ll get caught being naughty.
*The Mayor wants a Personnel Status Report that includes salary totals, increases, retirements & etc to monitor the largest part of the city budget (two thirds of the budget to be exact)
*The Mayor has asked the council to be more engaged with the citizens. Drive down roads, alleyways and speak directly with the citizens. You know, don’t “hide in their ivory tower”.
*Smartphones were requested by the Mayor to assist in staying more engaged with the citzens. Failed to happen, Mayor says he’ll try again. ( I think some of the staff were a bit hesitant to to have electronic leashes)
*Cindy Rushing is the Mayor Pro Tem, Deputy Mayor Pro Tem is Todd Gottel.
*June 14th Meeting will focus on revamping the Economic Development Advisory Board. Email the current Chair of the Board Mike McCallum with your ideas. mmccallum@communitybank-tx.com
To read the entire, unedited newsletter click here –>>How Am I Doing? John Harper Email Newsletter
June 8th, 2007 at 8:17 pm (#)
I am not pleased with the new mayor or the new counsil members, gee they have only been in for less than a month now. Cutting programs that will better the community and its residents, was the straw that broke the camils back. We need the new fire station it was approved long before they Mr. Harper and the new counsil members took office. There are too many things they have taken away from us citizens of Rowlett and we shouldnt take and wont. When someone knocks on your door sign the petition for there resignation and get Rowlett back for the community.
We need Shane Johnson back !!!
June 12th, 2007 at 10:38 pm (#)
I voted for him. I think I’m a bit sorry I did. He said he would keep things going in a positive direction but potentially lower our taxes. Now after TIVOing the first council meeting, it’s the same thing he and Ms. Rushing were telling us they were trying to get away from, like 5-2 votes on everything, that happened 5 times in the very first meeting, it even seemed like it was pre-planned to happen. And cuts in every department, but yet he wants to increase the city council portion of the budget. He also seems to be very micro-managing, something is just not right. I sort of thought it was too good to be true…………… I guess we’ll see what happens for three years now, hope for the best.