On the City Council Visitor Presentations issue

During the last several Maplewood Council meetings, there has been discussion regarding modification or elimination of Visitor Presentations during Maplewood City Council meetings. Speaking for myself, I wanted to provide a citizen's view on this question.

Options presented:
As I understand, one option presented was to remove Visitor Presentations totally.

Another option was to limit Visitor Presentations at Maplewood Council meetings to residents and business owners in Maplewood (I prefer this option).

Another consideration the Council could address is the possibility of liability for slander made by visitors during these presentations. In my mind the potential for law suits should seriously be considered based upon some recent comments.

Watching the Council Meetings on TV is great. However, many of the meetings have dragged on until all hours of the night. At a recent council meeting, Xcel Energy representatives waited until 11:00 P.M. to present their request for a special permit to stage brush & tree trimmings pending chipping and removal. As a resident, I would like to have seen this business addressed earlier in the evening.

Personally, I think a sign-up sheet with a topic of discussion should be made available before the meeting. Council members can opt to allow the presentation during "prime time" or give the requestor time at another meeting. I would like to see presentations limited to a single topic.

Just as important as an individual's right to free speech is residents' rights to watch the Council address issues affecting all of us.

So far I have expressed my own opinion. As Chairperson, I speak for the Maplewood Voters Coalition with this challenge: the Maplewood City Council should consider all options and come to some viable solution which protects everyone's rights.

Bob Schmidt

A message from our Chair

Hello my fellow Maplewood residents. The year 2007 was very interesting and challenging. To the many voters who turned out in November of 2007, THANKS. Exercising your right to vote for the candidate of your choice is very important to any democracy. It is only with everyone voting will we see a true democracy of the people, by the people and for the people.

Bob Schmidt, outside our offices

Let's work together for Maplewood

It is obvious there were and will remain varying views on what is right for Maplewood, and who could best serve the residents. As Chair of the Maplewood Voters Coalition I am proud of the work put forth by MVC members, along with the efforts of unions and many residents both visible and behind the scenes who helped bring integrity back to Maplewood. We will continue to support your elected officials.

As we did in 2007, the MVC will continue to work with potential candidates, and we know there will be other excellent candidates stepping up in the future. Please feel free to give us an opportunity to get to know you and your IDEAS for Maplewood.

We look forward to:

• Identifying good candidates for Council and School Boards
• Developing these candidates in their goals.
• Endorse candidates we feel will best serve ALL residents.
• Advocate for their election
• Support residents and elected officials doing right by Maplewood.

In addition, IDEAS for improving Maplewood are always welcome.

Bob Schmidt
MVC – Chair
BobSchmidt@MVC08.com

Building depth after a strong rookie year

Welcome to the Maplewood Voters Coalition.

(Feb 6, 2008) Bear with us - for a few days the website will be in transition from 2007 to 2008.