Editor:

A short note to the members of the Beautification and Tree Council -- welcome to North Port city politics.

Several years ago, I was a member of the Beautification and Tree Council. When it came time for the joint meeting with the commissioners we had put together a number of suggestions we thought appropriate. One of the commissioners looked down at us and replied, and I quote, "you people are just trying to micro manage the city." So much for good intentions. Needless to say one and two other members of the advisory council resigned in shocked amazement.

The advisory councils are, as Jane Sharpe suggested in the newspaper article, window dressing. The commissioners are able to say "see we have members of the community on councils to advise us." However they seldom take the "advise" of the council members.

I don't know why the commissioners are not more attuned to the council members. Perhaps the liaisons between the commissioners and the council members are not doing their job. The newspaper article stated that "many city advisory boards" are confused about their duties. Whoever is at fault, the problem should be corrected.

The members of the advisory councils devote their time and effort to doing a good job. Someone should be paying attention.

Betty Martin

North Port




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