Time to dissolve the Finance Committee and bring back to Entire Council

The time has come to dissolve the finance committee and bring the discussion back to the Whole Council. Before 2003 when Mike Belsky became mayor and created this Committee and Chairmanship for his up and coming political star Councilman Kirsch, the entire City Council had discussed finances at our Committee of the Whole meetings.

While I am not on the committee, I probably have one of the best attendance records. I have always felt we need to be present to hear staff's presentation and weigh in on the decisions. Current Finance Committee Council members are Jim Kirsch, Mike Belsky, and Larry Silberman. I am usually joined by non-finance committee member Councilwoman Olian that also feels a strong need to be present. Now with Councilman Rotering elected and committed as well to attend the meetings, six will regularly be attending the current finance committee meeting.

What really troubled me a few weeks ago was when Mike Belsky asked Councilwoman Olian and myself not to speak at the meetings since we were not on the committee. The Mayor was totally out of line on this one and I DO OBJECT.

Now is the time to add cast members to this Belsky/Kirsch production and bring the finance discussion back to the Committee of the Whole where the entire City Council has a voice in the discussion of the issues. The City Council needs to be more directly engaged on this important issue.