Local Politics
Today I attended a San Jose City Council meeting. This was my second time attending such a meeting. I have found that many of the issues that they cover or vote on are issues relating to land use/zoning issues.
During tonight’s meeting, I was able to witness a conflict of two powerful forces, labor and city government.
Typically, the attendance at a City Council meeting is sparsely attended but tonight was special. As I walked into the chamber, I noticed many individuals in orange shirts. While I sat their listening to the dull discussion of re-zoning and annexation, I wondered who they represented.
As the meeting dwindled to a close, the last item on the agenda was the open forum.
The open forum is used by individuals to spew hate, make allegations, evangelize and of course to express concerns. The opportunity to speak in front of the city leaders draws the strangest people. On this night, I was treated to concerns of city employees that are in the midst of negotiations. To be more exact, the gripes of Operating Engineers Local Union No. 3 (OE3).
As the people lined up to speak during the open forum, there was a long line of individuals from this union shop.
The member that caused this night to be special walked down the stairs in a biker jacket holding his helmet, a rather unassuming man. As he stood in front of the council, he mentioned that he was not good at speaking in front of crowds.
He began reading the union’s concerns but then took a hard left and began listing off the many things that the City Council had voted on such as the New City Hall, subsidies to Starbucks and other various controversial expenditures.
One council member stated after the meeting that she was a little irritated with the union member’s comments because his numbers were off.
After the member listed off all the gripes, the chamber erupted into a frenzy. People cheered and clapped. The Mayor had to request that the audience refrain from participating. I found myself clapping, fully supporting this union that I new nothing about. I was caught up in the moment.
After the meeting, I sat there in the empty chambers thinking, I realized that I had witnessed the democratic process in its purest form.
The ability to address city officials directly through an open forum is a powerful concept. It makes one feel extremely engaged. I hope to one day have the courage to address this same council.
During tonight’s meeting, I was able to witness a conflict of two powerful forces, labor and city government.
Typically, the attendance at a City Council meeting is sparsely attended but tonight was special. As I walked into the chamber, I noticed many individuals in orange shirts. While I sat their listening to the dull discussion of re-zoning and annexation, I wondered who they represented.
As the meeting dwindled to a close, the last item on the agenda was the open forum.
The open forum is used by individuals to spew hate, make allegations, evangelize and of course to express concerns. The opportunity to speak in front of the city leaders draws the strangest people. On this night, I was treated to concerns of city employees that are in the midst of negotiations. To be more exact, the gripes of Operating Engineers Local Union No. 3 (OE3).
As the people lined up to speak during the open forum, there was a long line of individuals from this union shop.
The member that caused this night to be special walked down the stairs in a biker jacket holding his helmet, a rather unassuming man. As he stood in front of the council, he mentioned that he was not good at speaking in front of crowds.
He began reading the union’s concerns but then took a hard left and began listing off the many things that the City Council had voted on such as the New City Hall, subsidies to Starbucks and other various controversial expenditures.
One council member stated after the meeting that she was a little irritated with the union member’s comments because his numbers were off.
After the member listed off all the gripes, the chamber erupted into a frenzy. People cheered and clapped. The Mayor had to request that the audience refrain from participating. I found myself clapping, fully supporting this union that I new nothing about. I was caught up in the moment.
After the meeting, I sat there in the empty chambers thinking, I realized that I had witnessed the democratic process in its purest form.
The ability to address city officials directly through an open forum is a powerful concept. It makes one feel extremely engaged. I hope to one day have the courage to address this same council.
posted by idealist at 11:41 PM
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