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1 Letter to the editor:
Two months ago, in an attempt to get some public accountability from the city of Pflugerville, regarding the astronomical cost increase of a multi-million dollar drainage ditch, I made an open records request of all items related to some very questionable management decisions.
I attended a council meeting after making my request; in which a ‘citizens communication’ item was noticeably absent from the posted agenda.
I sat for over three hours watching the council adjourn into multiple executive sessions.
In my open records package, it was noted that several items could not be released to me because they fell under “attorney/client privilege.”
I later received a copy of an Attorney General’s opinion, which had been sought by the city attorney
Now, Pflugerville has joined a lawsuit against the state to declare the Texas Open Meetings Act “unconstitutional.”
As Ms. Dalglish concluded in the Dec. 15 [Austin American-Statesman] article. “If you don’t like the notion of conducting the public’s business in public, you shouldn’t run for [public] office.”
Pflugerville, I challenge you to attend meetings, request records and send e-mails demanding accountability of your public funds and open government: citymanager@cityofpflugerville.com
Finally, as the true ‘clients’ that maintain exclusive electoral power, show your disapproval by electing new city officials that are more concerned with service to all residents, than creating a “secret society of city officials.”
Tommy A. Nobles
Pflugerville
It always amazes me how editorials are framed in such a manner where the full story is never revealed. It is definitely important for the writer to convey his or her message in the emotional state of mind it was conceived. When these thoughts are made public it is imperative that we understand what Paul Harvey calls, “the rest of the story”. Let me make it clear that the astronomical cost increase was related to a conceptual design model that was yet subject to final approval. The action taken by council was prudent to get the all the facts to make the best possible decision for city tax payers. This particular project was on a long range plan and was being developed in stages. At this point, the astronomical cost that Mr. Nobles alludes to is being redefined based on engineering changes we are in the process of developing. Ultimately the final cost of this project will be in line with sound project management policies that are now in place. As a matter of record “citizen’s communications” is never part of work sessions or special meetings but is required during regular council meetings, the meeting Mr. Nobles attended was a special meeting.
The City of Pflugerville is participating in a lawsuit regarding the Texas Open Meeting Act which by the way is not being funded by any city tax dollars. For the record the point of contention is that the Act penalizes local elected officials to the extent that they can be indicted, prosecuted, jailed, and have a permanent criminal record which affects their professional, business, and personal lives forever. This is the commitment that your elected officials currently make with no reservations. We do not condone the smoke filled back rooms and the good old boy days. This is what the law is intended to curtail. What it does impact is the daily lives of individuals that serve selflessly giving of themselves to the betterment of our community. In effect TOMA would preclude the current democratic process of candidate forums. Incumbent officials could not participate if a quorum was present unless the topics were posted for discussion. Therefore, the general public’s freedom of speech would be stripped away, as only the questions listed could be asked. School board members could not attend football games for fear of a quorum and possible discussion of district business. They could be arrested and indicted for participating in process they voluntary chooses to do. If two or more city officials show up at a Starbucks accidently, they could discuss the weather, stock market, but heaven forbid if the clerk asks them about the synchronization of traffic signals on 1825.
Putting Ms. Dalglish’s statement in context, those officials who violate TOMA by holding meetings in private” should go to jail”. It is against the law. This council has always acted in accordance with that law, open and public. It is unfortunate when claims are made by individuals without all the facts.
I would welcome more citizen participation and meeting attendance and demand for accountability. In a recent call for volunteers for our boards and commissions to serve, I did not see one application to invest time and energy to the community, from some of the individuals who seemed to be concerned with accountability. It is one thing to wave the banner of “electoral power” and another to roll up your sleeves and make a difference.
I am not sure which city Mr. Nobles referred to, that subscribes to a “secret society of city officials”, it is not Pflugerville. I invite Mr. Nobles to step up to the plate and run for office this coming spring. As soon as you get elected Mr. Nobles your communication with the public and peers will be limited by law. Welcome aboard.