The meeting got off to a rip-roaring start when they spent 50 minutes on approving the minutes from the last meeting. Talk about gridlock...and I say that with nothing but respect for the founding fathers who included gridlock as a feature of the governing process, not a bug. But sometimes, like H.L. Mencken said...every man must be tempted at times to spit upon his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats (if you read this blog much, you know I post a lot of stuff from Ace of Spades and that quote is at the top of the page but so fitting for some of these meetings). The meeting starts at 3:30 but discussing the actual agenda didn't begin until 4:20. One thing you will learn about government is it moves as slow as a turtle who just took a zanax so he wouldn't begin slitting throats....
Anyhow...Councilman Flinn decides he wants to revisit #9 from the last meeting. #9 was about an 8.4 million MLGW contract that was going to be contracted out instead of using MLGW linemen. Truthfully, I was surprised when it failed at the last meeting. Anytime money like that is being thrown around by the big boys(MLGW, Jerry Collins), it's usually a foregone conclusion. They say they need it, they need it for what they say they need it for...bam! rubberstamped! Next dollar sign...
The discussion was intense. One question by council had been asked of Jerry Collins and then Chairman Strickland let Councilwoman Halbert ask a quick follow up question but before she could finish her question, the chairman slammed his gavel down telling Halbert her question was out of order...Do tell Chairman Strickland...why would "How long have you known about the need for this project?"...why would that be out of order? Perhaps because...if you wait until the deadline is near, their will be no other options except for the ones you propose? I don't know...As it turns out, this money is needed to upgrade transmission lines and is a federal mandate. If we don't complete the project in 3 years, we will be fined. O.K. So Uncle Sam is mandating that little ole Memphis do this upgrade to our transmission lines. Uncle Sam is mandating we spend 8.4 million dollars for what? There was mention of NERP Standards and from just what little research I could get from the internet I came up with this...
NERC: EPA Regulations Could Impact System Reliability http://www.powermag.com/nerc-epa-regulations-could-impact-system-reliability/
I admit I don't know enough about this situation to give a good opinion but I am struck by the fact that it doesn't occur to anyone to ask...Does this project really need to happen? Also noted is this, Councilmen Harris called out Councilmen Boyd for changing his vote...there were two votes taken to try and pass this. Originally Boyd voted no, a few minutes later, he mysteriously changes his mind and Harris wanted to know "what reasons prevailed upon Mr. Boyd" that would make him change his mind in so short amount of time. Boyd was duly offended and told Harris "I don't need you to tell me why I changed my vote that I just thought better of it (blah blah blah blah blah blah). That was my translation of Boyd, you have to go to the meetings to fully understand that. I commend Harris on his questions of Boyd and in Harris's defense of questioning Boyd for making what was probably a political motivated decision(who knows what it was really about)...me thinks Boyd doth protest too much!
To wrap this issue up...4 MLGW linemen spoke in support of the contract stating that MLGW does not have enough linemen to do their job and this federally mandated project. They also had a petition with 100 linemen who were in support of the contract for hiring outside workers. I admit, I don't know what's going on except the feds have dumped another unfunded mandate on a city that is hurting financially and I question whether this work needs to be done at all...
Unfortunately I was not able to attend the committee meeting on the proposed 5 dollar fee for electronic citations but this will have to go before the council to be passed. For now, what it looks like is a fee on top of a fine, ain't bureaucracy grand? Here's your 50$ ticket from our unconstitutional red light camera and here's a 5 dollar fine for dessert. Have a nice day....suckers! I will retract that if I am wrong...
If you did not see my post earlier about this...it's about fees, fees, fees...Government loves them some fees....
Memphis Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee discussing 50.00 fee Increase for Sex Offender Registry - then read this http://www.midsouthsentinel.com/1/post/2014/09/memphis-public-safety-homeland-security-committee-discussing-5000-fee-increase-for-registry.html
The ordinance to remove some of the onerous regulations that not-for-profit companies have to jump through to assist people with disabilities was passed without discussion. Too bad no one mentioned that fact that if it's onerous for no-for-profits then it's onerous for for-profits but I think it's worth mentioning that with out PROFITS, there would be no charity work but it's ixnay on the profitsay!
I made a huge mistake not asking questions on the 275,000 for the Urban Arts Program thinking they would discuss the crux of the matter...lesson #1...never assume the councilmen will discuss anything even though they love to hear themselves talk...I was hoping to gain intel and report back. Unfortunately this was rubber stamped like a congressional bill waiting to be passed so we can find out what's in it...I will not let my questions go unanswered next time. A hundred of these little projects every other week and you can see how the budget can get out of hand...
There was not talk about Uber and Lyft issues but apparently they are working on that. Rest assured, if they can quash competition they will, so the public's engagement will be required if we want good things for Memphis. If you have ever solicited a cab ride in Memphis, you would know...Uber and Lyft Rock!
That's all until September 16th! Next time try to be there or at least watch online. If we don't hold government accountable ...nobody will.