"This will never happen again" Vice-Chair Upham makes a statement
By Elizabeth Prata
At Monday's workshop, the Council learned of the origin
of the Thursday Pennell meeting. GPLA director, Library
Trustee and Gray News Editor Ray Clark had sent an
e-mail to Manager Mitchell A. Berkowitz calling for
a meeting of Pennell parties. Mr. Berkowitz complied
and the meeting was set up, without having gone through
the Council first.
Vice-Chair Andy Upham said that "All items having
to do with Council agendas and meetings will first
be reviewed by Council, approved by Council, and will
have a written agenda. This will never happen again."
The workshop audience applauded and shouted 'thank
you.' Mr. Upham continued, "I would like to have
been briefed, allowed time to prepare and also to
have the other Councilors have the opportunity to
attend where they might have participated. Also, I
am more comfortable when attorneys work for me.
There will never be a day when I work for them. I
want all correspondence relating to Council and its
work be sent to us or the Manager and then us. I represent
all these people, those I agree with and those I do
not, but I cannot do that if I do not have the information.
Meetings are to be initiated by us, not on behalf
of third parties."
