Government Transparency in Byron, MN
As of today, I've been a Councilman in Byron, MN for approximately 60 days. Up to this point, I've spent hundreds of hours learning, researching, and speaking with people who are involved with the decisions that run our great city.
Unfortunately, I have not received one call or email about any issue that I've been presented with thus far. I actually received more emails in the 60 days I ran for office than I've received since being in office. This seems wrong to me.
I'm sure that residents are talking about the decisions we're making each week. Each Tuesday, I run to my mailbox to grab the Byron Review and see how I was quoted at the previous meeting. It's a nerve racking experience for me as this is the only thing that residents "hear" each week.
I believe in government transparency and involvement by "the people". True, I may be the person who is representing you at city hall, but I should only be a reflection of those who put me into office. This means that I need to hear from you.
This blog will be a place where I can voice my opinion on matters and hopefully get feedback from you, "the people". I understand that you may not have time to attend each council meeting, but hopefully you have a couple hours each month to check this website and provide some feedback. If not, maybe forward this to someone who may find it interesting.
Each week, I'll be posting about an issue that you'll hopefully find important and relevant. The first post will come after tonight's council meeting (3/12/09).
Thanks!
Alan De Keyrel
Byron, MN Councilman
Labels: roads, transparency
posted by Alan De Keyrel @ 9:47 AM
7 Comments
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7 Comments:
I think this is a great start at getting the community involved in local government. I look forward to reading this each week and providing feedback when I can. I too, normally cannot wait to get home Tuesday nights and read the paper to see what was stated.
Can you maybe discuss the dome complex and how this is going to enhance the Byron community?
David, thanks for visiting. There are several topics that need to be discussed and the dome is at the top of my list. Look for a post in the next few days after I have a chance to put my thoughts onto paper.
I think this could be a great way to get information out to people BEFORE any action is taken. It should help with feedback on important topics.
I am with David as the dome is a big question in my mind. It seems like a very agressive project for a small community at a bad economic time. The dome for the college is hitting wall after wall for sponsors so I'm concerned this might be another Byron Towne Square. I'm just not comfortable that the city can support this nor am I excited about additional traffic on 10th Avenue when the traffic to turn to the McDonald's is already quite congested. I would love to hear your thoughts on why the city thinks this is good for it and why we should spend tax payer money on such a grand thing.
Kristine Ihrke
I am commenting about the city streets. Since I know little about street work, would a reasonable alternative be to put gravel in the existing holes? Could the city hire high school students to do this work for the summer?
Or if you do get bids,it seems the city should be able to get a low cost bid with all the competition for work that there is now.
Alan,
Thank you for this great website. I voted for you in Nov, not because I knew you, but because I wanted the old council out. What a great decision that was!
I know of many citizens that have tried to get transparency into the city government for many years and have failed. Hopefully we are in a new day………….Thanks again
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