It's your city council – Our view: If you want something, just ask

Glencoe residents have a good understanding of how to get their point of view out via social media. There is a percentage of the community that seems to make good use of Facebook to express views on city policies and opinions on projects the city council has discussed.
Sadly, too often the opinions residents post for others to see never make the jump from the Internet to an actual point of view or request of the city council. That’s too bad for a variety of reasons. First of all, if there’s a question you want to ask city staff, don’t just kvetch on Facebook or some other form of social media. Call city hall or send an email to the appropriate member of city staff and ask a question. If you don’t get a response, ask again – this time during a city council meeting. The council meets Monday evenings, 7 p.m., at Glencoe City Center.
If you can’t attend, check the city’s website for contact info.
This past week, there have been two examples of discourse on social media that should make the jump from the Internet to a live meeting. Bringing these topics to your city council would let councilors know what’s on the minds of residents. It would also provide a level of discourse where residents might learn the rationale behind policy decisions.
Folks seemed irked by fireworks and the response Glencoe police took to complaints about fireworks or the use of possibly illegal pyrotechnics during the evenings of July 3 and 4. Some questioned online whether it was appropriate for people to be making noise.
If people are unhappy regarding the hour when excessive noise is permitted, a call to the city or a request of the council for an explanation or a change to the ordinance is reasonable.
People also complained “the cops” were leaning on residents using fireworks, legal or otherwise. According to the police report the department submits each day, there were no citations issued, only warnings. That hardly constitutes a heavy-handed approach by police to complaints of illegal fireworks. If a person was using illegal fireworks, they rightly deserve a citation. If the department’s leadership supports an educational approach, issuing a warning on an initial approach, we certainly support that approach. If a person violates the ordinance repeatedly, a citation may be appropriate.
Another person posted a request about a splashpad. The suggestion is more than reasonable. Hopefully, it will be forwarded to the city council. The council would be well-served to hear the proposal at one of its upcoming meetings. It’s a suggestion that would likely need to be vetted, discussed before being possibly included into a capital-improvement budget.
There is only one downside for residents approaching the city council. The council schedules public comment for the end of its agenda. That’s a cryin’ shame since a request or comment from a citizen who takes the time to come to city hall is worthy of time atop of the agenda. They are, after all, taxpayers. The council is not so important that its business is more imperative than time to hear a request or comment from a citizen.
Either way, just ask. The council will listen. You might not get the information or response you want, but what will you get if the question or request is not tendered?

-jm