Others may prove themselves to be in this category over time. Recent criticisms of our approach have identified our shortcomings as intolerance of alternative viewpoints, micromanagement of the council, and strident behavior. With respect to intolerance, I submit that councilmembers favoring the sales tax to fund Johnson Creek, the funding of the Trinity Railway Express and the mall tax rebate are intolerant of our views and showed this by voting against our position in the face of overwhelming public opposition. As to micromanagement, I believe taking issue with proposed sales tax increases, wasteful mass transit funding, closing of neighborhood pools and tax rebates and abatements are significant enough to warrant intervention by citizens. With respect to stridency, we are a new organization and have learned some lessons about appropriate behavior in our advocacy methods which we will put into practice.
Most citizens grant newly-elected politicians time to learn how to deal with the public.
Unfortunately, some on the council are still learning those lessons and come off badly when they publicly respond peevishly to real or perceived criticisms. Hopefully, when the council issues new rules on proper decorum at public meetings, they will include appropriate behavior for members of the council and staff.