Friends of Kentwood Review the Town Council

Photo Credit: Antoinette Harrell

I try to attend most town council meetings and events around the town of Kentwood. There is one question that I raised concerning our Town Council. "Is there anything the Town Council add to the monthly agenda?" I haven't heard one issue or item that they put on the agenda to be addressed.  The monthly agenda and the minutes are available for everyone for their review. 

  
I'm aware that all council members are at-large and the town is not broken down by districts. If the town were broken down by district, the citizens can visibly see what their councilman or councilwoman is doing for the community. There would be no questions about measuring what they are doing. 

I do want to point out that I have seen Councilwoman Clines and Councilman Callihan at different events around the town. Also, both of them have attended difference meetings concerning our town.  I do realize that several of our town councilmen work other jobs. That doesn't mean that their duties as elected officials should be neglected. It's one thing to vote on a motion, and it's another thing to be seen in the community working with the mayor and other town councilmembers.  It isn't fair to the town and people to come to a once a month meeting and collect a check. The bottom line is, what are you doing for the community?  I hope that everyone takes a look at Friends of Kentwood page and see who is working for you and the town. 

Role of the individual council member 

Councilmembers’ statutory duties are to be performed, almost without exception, by the council as a whole. For example, the council, not individual members, must supervise administrative officers, formulate policies, and exercise city powers.

Councilmembers should devote their official time to problems of basic policy and act as liaisons between the city and the general public. Councilmembers should be concerned,  not only with of daily affairs but also with the future development of the city. 

The most important single responsibility of a council member is participation at council meetings. In statutory cities, each council member, including the mayor, has full authority to make and second motions, participate in discussions, and vote on every matter before the council. 

In a statutory city, any two council members of a five-member council or any three members of a seven-member council may call a special meeting. Care should be exercised to give proper notice, however. Every community has issues that need to be addressed around the town. I have heard Mayor Gordon ask the council is there anything they want to say or add, the answer is always no.  If we want the town to grow, we need our elected officials to work harder for our town. 

I know that Kentwood is a small town and most of the people here are related to each other and they get their family members to vote for them, regardless if they are working to improve the quality of life for the citizens.

 

As a community organizer, activist and television talk show host, I can't allow myself and others to be taking advantage of.  After reading this blog post, I hope to see our town council get more involved to improve our town and community.