Here’s the thing for the Lansing City Council as it ponders improvements to its meeting schedule:
If you do the prudent thing, there are going to be a few folks (and, yes, 30 or 40 people in a city of 114,000 people is a few) will have a conniption about it. Too bad. The council’s elected to represent all 114,000 of us, not a few dozen who make a hobby out of making comments at council sessions.
I know it’s tough to be disparaged relentlessly. In fact, I’m amazed at the restraint council members show in the face of the comments fired at them from the audience podium. But that has nothing to do with governing the city and the proposed changes will make the council sessions more efficient, while still giving residents a chance to speak on the specific issues before the council that evening.
It’s an election year and certain people on the council are no doubt eager to avoid upsetting anyone. But this is really an easy call — and needless delays only energize the people who, by their actions, have forced the council to consider revisions.
Adopt the changes ... listen to the rants ... and get back to business.
