I see on the Common council Agenda that Technology Commission Chair, Scott Meade, is up for reappointment.

From the several meetings I have attended, I don't see a problem with Scott Meade.  But I have made some observations.  And you know what?  Part of the problem, and maybe I am the only one who may think there is a problem, is that there are some very intelligent people on this large Commission...many of them with distinct technological backgrounds.  And it's kind of like sitting there listening to them compare who's tetrabytes are bigger that the next persons.

I listened, at a subcommittee meeting for almost an hour to one discussion of how every meeting that is held should be video taped.  Now, as you know, Fred, you sit in the "audience" unable to say a word, sometimes in frustration, as the commission rambles on....but to listen to this discussion which made no sense was too much.  There is no possible way to video tape all of the meetings properly, having staff to do so, unless they would all be held in the same room from now on.  Plus, honestly, I don't believe the public would really be interested In seeing a video tape of every single meeting.  I believe this thought came about because one of the technology commissioners is an expert in video....which is my point.  

Eventually, I guess someone saw the light, because the thought process went back to just digital recorders for all meetings and possibly video for Council meetings.

As far as last night's meeting...I can't say why it was cancelled, but I believe there may be a lack of commitment for some members of the commission..and I think that may be a problem on a couple of the Commissions.  

Also, it is the responsibility of city staff to update the website, if I'm not mistaken.

Reducing clerical staff at City Hall isn't going to improve things either, in my opinion.  

If I'm wrong on any of this...please, anyone on a Commission can feel free to put in their two cents...remembering I do have some tapes of meetings and there are plenty of meetings from plenty of Commissions showing cancellation after cancellation.  

Sure here is my two cents. I for one was out of town for the weekend and did not plan to come back early for a half hour meeting. At the last meeting on September 24th, I let the commission members know that I could not attend, so did Dale Webler, even with the two of us not attending, there should have been quorum. If that is lack of commitment, so be it.  There was a early afternoon call and email to all commission members informing us that another member had gotten sick which would not allow for quorum.

Since none of us get paid to be on this commission, do not get paid for travel or any reimbursement. I am more than willing to give back to the city what I earn on this commission.

So I would like to suggest that anyone who is so much more committed than the current members to fill out that little old application that you can find on the website. Then when there are members that get sick or their jobs do not allow them to attend a meeting, we can still have enough members for quorum.

Janet can I call the Mayor and tell him you will be filling out a volunteer application to join us?

www.franklinwi.gov/.../router.aspx

Bryan,

You are out of line...and let me tell you very clearly, why.

First, this is not about you, it is about the Commission.  Do not forget I am a citizen first and a blogger second.

Next...I knew you were out of town, because you told me you were going to be when you said you thought I should attend this meeting as you believed I might be asked a question or two.  That is why I made a point of specifically making sure to attend this meeting.

You have a lot of nerve suggesting that I should join the technology commission because I am not happy about what has transpired.  I spend more time than most Commission members attending meetings for no pay, with no travel expenses so I can report on them for the public.  The city employees, who do get paid, should be doing their jobs.  It's very nice that you all received emails saying that the meeting was cancelled.  After that email was sent, the website should have been updated by Lisa Huening to say the meeting was cancelled so the citizens of Franklin could have had the same courtesy.  I'd say since you were notified in the early afternoon that there was plenty of time to do this.

Then tonight at the City Council meeting no Technology Commission members who have been on the sub-committee bother to show up incase there are any questions regarding Item G1...well, there were questions.  Scott Meade might have shown up since he was on the Agenda anyway.

So, no, Bryan, you shouldn't call the Mayor on my behalf. Not unless it's to take Lisa Huening's job.  Hey, then I could do those podcasts too.

Stop making excuses though, if that is what you are doing for your entire Commission.  You're making this personal. 

Bottom line regarding commitment; when an individual signs up, they know when the regular meetings are going to be.  If they can't commit to that schedule, then they don't belong on the Commission.  Yes, sickness or family or sometimes work will interfere.  If this is causing the Commission to cancel too many meetings, then they need to let the Mayor know that the Commission does not have enough members, or perhaps the day of the meetings needs to be changed.

Janet

This is all well and great. But it is about me as I am part of this group of people I have come to respect for their time and knowledge.

I have given you credit where credit is due for attending meetings.

I am sorry for the mis-communications you and I had about you attending the Monday meeting as I meant to recommend your attendance at the next subcommittee meeting dealing with digital recordings. The meeting on Monday was suppose to be a short meeting with one item (as you stated, normal meetings are scheduled the fourth Wednesday of every month). This Monday meeting was to recommend or reject the bid for our website work and to present information to the Committee as a Whole afterwords (which was Canceled also).

You also state "If they can't commit to that schedule, then they don't belong on the Commission." In past year we have lost two members and gained just one for just that reason. This makes it even more difficult to make quorum.

Finally all I want to say is to be careful what you ask for, you might just get what you ask for. It just might end up having, the Common Council pay tax dollars for Technology Consultants for recommendations rather than a group of Technology Professionals who get paid zippo for their time and efforts.  

I will not comment on this further as it is not worth arguing and our friendship over this matter.

Bryan,

As I said, you are making this personal...this is not about our friendship.  That is separate from this issue.  You and I have a great friendship...but we differ pretty much on politics.

Again, I do not need nor do I ask for credit for attending any meetings, for taping, for reporting, for anything.  And, obviously, I take a lot of heat for what I do at times.  And I don't think, that I recall, that I have ever whined or complained about it in these blogs.  If anyone on a Commission is looking for credit, or any volunteer for that matter, they had better look at why they are volunteering.

Good luck with your meetings, Bryan.

They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? ~~~~~~~~ Related reading : Technology Commission Report 10/06/08 Sprawled