Madam Mayor and City Council Members,
I want to thank the City Council for removing some of the more contentious points that were contained in Ordinance 2020-22. However, I also want to point out that the people of Dillingham are due a truly public and open forum to discuss moving forward with how to prepare our community for future emergency situations. The current method of having limited access to our elected government presents too many challenges to accurately and fully hearing the voices of the constituents.
Over the past several months of listening in to these telephonic meetings that can prove to be quite challenging has clearly shown that doing the business of We the People over telephone and internet connections is lacking. On numerous occasions I have missed comments and points made by fellow citizens, government employees and our elected representatives. I can absolutely guarantee that I am not the only person that feels like we are being shortchanged by the current meeting methods.
Over the past 3 weeks the Council has received letters asking that Ordinance 2020-22 be tabled/halted until a public forum can occur. By including this modified version of the ordinance for adoption in the upcoming meeting, it’s clearly showing that the Council would rather limit public participation in Our government rather than meet with the people to hear them out. I would like to encourage all Council members to reject the adoption of Ordinance 2020-22 and to stop changing the already existing ‘emergency’ ordinance as well. The mitigation efforts already being ‘enforced’ in Dillingham are in-line with the State and Federal guidelines and do not need to be expanded or modified in any way.
Thank You all for your volunteer service for Our community and I look forward to hearing from all of you soon. We mustn’t tarry when dealing with timely issues and the will of the people is the most important facet of effective elected governance.
Sincerely,
Jon Corbett