TMAPC Commissioner, Elizabeth Wright: Public Hearing

[MDepr2007]

I thought you'd answer that question, not ask it yourself. I got no dog in this hunt, but you seem to be spending a lot of time deflecting the questions rather than answering them.

Then go away and shut up 

[rwarn17588]

As to my being rude... Rude isn't grounds.

I take it with that answer that, yes, you were rude.

Whether it's grounds for dismissal, it depends. The details probably will be hashed out at the hearing. But I think most folks would agree that since you're a public official, you need to take the high ground in interacting with the public. Maybe there's some notable failings by you with that. We'll see.

And as DowntownNow has detailed, I think you have a very real problem with conflict of interest. I'm stunned, quite frankly, that you didn't resign your Florence Park post when you got this job. That was, in my opinion, a boneheaded oversight that could and may have compromised your integrity for the TMAPC job.

If you were indeed making enemies with certain people (a big if), you hand-delivered the instrument to your demise. If you weren't, staying on as Florence Park president after getting on at TMAPC at least calls your judgment into question.

And FYI, inteller isn't the most credible poster on this forum. Just sayin'.

[inteller]

wow, integrity and TMAPC in the same sentence....I never thought I'd see that.

You want to see rude?  Why don't you go to one of these meetings some time and see how homeowners rights are trampled to the ground in favor of horrible developments, EVERY OTHER WEEK OF THE MONTH!  It takes the most outlandish proposals, like a baby sodomy factory, to not get passed by this body (and they'd probably even approve that if they amended to reduce the entrances from 5 to 4)...!  Rude is a GOB system where they make all the rules, then remake them if it doesn't suit their latest development scheme.  PUDs?  Best way to get around those pesky zoning ordinances....and if they agree to a PUD today that doesn't suit them 10 years from now, no problem, just vacate the PUD and go back to straight zoning!  Forget what assumptions the neighbors think...it is bait and switch time!

Wright's comments are "rude" because they are comments and questions that developers and their patsies and INCOG don't want to hear.  They don't want to hear that they haven't done their job properly.  They don't want to hear that their final plats aren't complete (even though they should be before approval).  They don't want to hear that they are not abiding by codes (both international and local).  I'm sure all of that is very "rude" to them because it upsets their little system.  

And you attack my credibility? You don't even know me.  FCK YOU.  Just sayin'

[Liz Wright]

I wrote the following after being interviewed by the Tulsa World. I hope it further clarifies some issues. It is long so I need to do it in two parts. I don't mind answering questions. I don't mind repeating myself. I can't always spot a red herring but I do a fair job. Note the emphasis placed on the conflict of interest by some of the posters. That is a red herring. While the debate continues on whether I should or should not have resigned allow me to once again draw your attention to some relevant facts: 1. The matter was discussed at the relevant time with Chairman Chip Ard (come to think of it I may have also spoken with Pat Boulden,
TMAPC counsel); and 2. The event happened prior to Keith.

Something else occurred to me. Keith is receiving her advice from Simonson, former chair of the Republican Party. Are his motives suspect?

And now, for the essay and the source of the comment "she is so rude".

On Friday, October 30th, Kevin Canfield of the Tulsa World called for a comment due to my being listed as a Board of County Commissioners' agenda item on Monday, November 2. As this was the first I knew of the event I promptly invited Kevin to my office for an interview. In an effort for full disclosure I am electing to make a statement as the story is far too long (and honestly not that interesting) for the newspaper to print.

To date, I do not know the real reason why Karen Keith is choosing to replace me before my term expires in 13 months. This is what I do know.

On June 24th, at the TMAPC work session, Bill Leighty chose to place on the agenda a discussion of how TMAPC handled PUD-769.  A PUD that the TMAPC previously passed with modifications to the plan. The developer was in the audience and agreed to the modifications. Located at 81st and Yale, a developer intended to build an office complex abutting the edge of the reservoir at the Holland Lakes residential subdivision on a property with a steep incline. To reduce the privacy invasion of the office complex, Phil Marshall included a provision that the windows closest to the residential property owners be translucent. Before the PUD went before the City Council the developer withdrew the PUD and claimed that the provisions were a hindrance.   After the TMAPC had passed the PUD, but before the PUD was withdrawn I attended a Holland Lakes Home Owners Association Meeting at their request. I fielded questions concerning the best way to present their concerns to the City Council. The HOA had previously invited all of the TMAPC commissioners to visit the site. A previous development had caused $30,000 of damage to the reservoir which the HOA had to pay. They did not want to suffer such a financial hardship again.

So on June 24th, Leighty wanted to discuss how the TMAPC was hindering development in Tulsa. Because this was on the agenda during the Work session rather than during Commissioner's comments, the discussion was not recorded. At some point during the discussion Joe Westervelt, former TMAPC commissioner and chair, beckoned from the audience that he wanted to be recognized. At no time during the Public Hearing of PUD-769 or throughout the several continuances was Joe Westervelt ever present. For reasons unbeknownst to me, the Chair, Michelle Cantrell recognized Westervelt. He proceeded to speak for several minutes. I called point of order. No one from the Holland Lakes HOA was present nor would they have been contacted as this was on the work session. The type of discussion was one that the Holland Lakes residents should have had there to represent themselves.

Westervelt proceeded to tell the TMAPC how to do its job which included comments about my family. Yes, about my family. He proceeded to verbally berate me. I have several witnesses to this event other than the TMAPC commissioners or the INCOG staff.

Westervelt told the TMAPC that we needed to monitor ourselves as ethics charges should be filed against me for working against the developers in cahoots with the Holland Lakes residents. He stated he would file the charges himself but that he had respect for my family.

A point of interest – Karen Keith was not at the meeting. Remember the meeting was not recorded.

The work session continued with the other items on the agenda without incidence. Outside, after the meeting, I asked Michelle what in the world was all that about (referring to Westervelt) – she claimed she didn't know what he was going to speak about. Then why recognize him? She mumbled something about his being a former Commissioner. I might add, Work sessions are reserved for material to be presented to the TMAPC. The Preservation Commission, the Sign Advisory or staff may make a presentation regarding an item that the TMAPC would hear eventually. Recently our Work sessions have been forum for PlaniTulsa updates.

I left the meeting, picked up my son and met my parents for dinner. During dinner I told them about the brutish treatment by Westervelt. Late Wednesday night or Thursday morning I checked my answering machine and there was a message from Ella, Karen Keiths' secretary, it was time stamped after 5 pm.  Ella stated that Karen Keith expected to see me in her office the following Monday at 1:30 pm. It was not a request, it was a demand. Well, I was not available at 1:30 on Monday. I work for a living. Thus began a series of e-mails and phone calls between Ella and I to arrange a time for this meeting. The last email (or phone call) ended with Ella stating she would get back to me and she did not. During these transactions I was never made aware of the subjects to be discussed with Keith.

However there were other clues. On June 25th my parents were out to dinner when Keith approached them at their table and said she was sorry she would have to unappoint their daughter as she (Liz Wright) is rude.  Upon returning home that night, Joe Westervelt had left a message for my father. On
Friday my parents let me know of both these events. Yes, if you have followed the story thus far – Karen Keith and Joe Westervelt decided to speak with my parents rather than me. I am now 52. Please draw your own conclusions.

Over the course of the next several weeks much muttering happened among the various neighborhood groups. I do not know who spoke to whom for the most part. Comments floated back to me. People called Karen Keith – that I do know. I was told that Karen Keith had contacted all of the TMAPC commissioners to see how they felt about her removing me. Remember she has yet to speak with me. In fact, I was quite beginning to feel like the spouse who is the last to know. Imagine the dilemma I went through getting ready for yet another TMAPC meeting knowing I was walking into a meeting where everyone now knows that Karen Keith wants to unappoint me – everyone but me, officially.

Now we get to the impetus of why I ran for city council.

Yes, I do feel I would do a good job on the council. In fact a really great job because I am not, repeat not at the whim of a puppet master. While I strongly believe in seeking counsel from a variety of sources to gain insight and perspective, I have a wonderful sense of self-determination. Thank you mom and dad for that. I am in short, my own gal. So after a mocha and a new pair of shoes (okay 5 new pairs they were on sale) – I called a Private Investigator. I got an earful. In fact, after telling him the story he said he wanted to live to see tomorrow. These people – well – can hurt people. So he referred me to another PI. Along the way I was informed that my phone lines were most likely tapped, and that I was probably being followed. That made my day. So I spoke to lawyers. Found out that the town of Tulsa is fairly inbred (really Sherlock?) and that a lawyer would probably need to come in from another city. Why is that – well so the lawyers business wouldn't magically all disappear. Apparently it has happened. Apparently enough to keep the lawyers a little skittish. But I did find out there were constitutional questions at stake and that if I could find a lawyer to handle the case it would not cost me any money because the net result would be large.

By now the Fourth of July has come and gone and we are into the second week of July. On July 11th I was speaking with someone from Maria Barnes Team. I remember the conversation clearly because it is the sort of conversation that makes time stand still and everything become crystal clear. She asked me what was to keep me from resigning. After all it would be important not to have anything embarrassing for Maria. Now you might ask how does Karen Keith and Maria tie in together. Well, remember Karen Keith called all the TMAPC commissioners – that includes Michelle Cantrell. The same Cantrell that is Maria Barnes' right hand. I was told previously that Cantrell didn't have a problem with my removal. Cantrell who is an operative in the Barnes campaign doesn't have a problem with Liz Wright being removed. The same Liz Wright who is viewed as the neighborhood advocate for planning. The Team Maria person suggested I resign so that this embarrassing little fact would not come out during the Formal Hearing Keith would have to do to remove me. Which it would, which it will when all of the TMAPC commissioners will have to make a statement about their conversations with Karen Keith.

In my world, there is a difference between watching someone's back and covering someone's bottom. It did not take much time in corporate America for me to have a strong distaste for covering for my bosses screw-ups. And there were already too many unappetizing items on the Maria scorecard. Not going to do it – nope.

Between the spooky vibes of the PI's and the lawyers and a request to cover Maria Barnes "issues", I decided to get into the public eye by running for city council. Initially I jumped in to get away from the Keith saga; however within a few days and many comments of support I began to take my contest quite seriously. In fact, I took stock of myself and realized that I am very qualified to be a city councilor. Starting from scratch I pulled together a campaign during a really lousy time of the year and did quite respectfully. I got noticed, I got calls, I got requests to run for everything that a person could run for except for dog catcher. 

From the time I filed until – I think it was the end of September – I did not hear one peep from Karen Keith. She rarely the TMAPC meetings so I don't see her. One afternoon – think it was October 6, Keith called and without much prelude suggests that I view this as an opportunity for other parts of Tulsa to have representation and resign. Did I mention the no prelude? I told Keith I could not talk then as I was looking straight into the face of my client. I told her I could call her back after I was done for the day – about 10 pm. She said why don't you call in the morning. Said I would try but I was pretty busy the next two days (Oct 7th an 11 am TMAPC meeting and on Oct 8th a doctors appointment and a TPC meeting). I might mentioned that as a self-employed individual my work day begins from about 11 am – 2 pm and ends somewhere between 10 pm & midnight 5-6 days a week. I also have a darling son who has to be at school before I am fully awake.

I began receiving emails from Terry Simonson, I suppose he was acting as her administrative assistant. He was earnestly attempting to set up a meeting between Keith, himself and I and also solictating my resignation letter. A meeting was set up for October 22. Remember I still don't know why I should resign. Well, other than to allow other parts of Tulsa better representation.

Karen did call on Wednesday October 21. I had called in sick for that day's TMAPC meeting and was hoping to go home to bed.  I had stopped by the office after taking my son to school and just  happened to be in when she called. She stated that she had read the emails between Terry and I and did not see a reason to meet on the 22nd since I had not agreed to resign. I told her there was a process for removal. She assured me that they had "crossed all their t's and dotted all their i's". The conversation ended. No other contact has been made. Not until Kevin Canfield called was I made aware that I was placed on the agenda. 

[Liz Wright]

Part 2

Kevin asked several times why did Keith want to replace me. I really don't know. I can speculate but that is about it.

I was appointed by Randi Miller near the end of her term. She told me she wanted a female, a Democrat and a neighborhood person and I fit the bill. She found me at a Florence Park Neighborhood Association meeting that I, as President, was conducting. I sent her my resume, she interviewed me, asked if I wanted the position and then the county appointed me to replace Wes Harmon. I began April 16, 2008 and my term expires January 2011. She was an agreeable chum – she made me laugh. Other than a couple of lunches where we laughed like school girls, an Environmental event at the Drillers Stadium and a lunch that included Terry Simonson I didn't have much contact with Randi.  I was never asked to do her bidding. Our relationship was congenial and friendly – more about laughing than anything else. I do miss her. The only thing political she told me was that Bob Dick, in a parting remark said he was going to get her. She pointed to Karen Keith's website to indicate Dick was promoting Keith. She said it was about the river – the bridge. A development saga I know next to nothing about, other than it was contentious. 

I haven't spoken to Randi since just after her election. But I wondered out loud to Kevin yesterday if maybe Randi wanted a female Democrat because maybe she knew she would not be re-elected and thought Keith would support me on the TMAPC. Keith, although she criticized Randi for not attending TMAPC meetings, where the County has an ex-officio position, has herself not attended. Instead she, or the county hired Mark Liotta to serve in her stead. Keith has only appeared occasionally.

Keith and Simonson both alluded to other parts of Tulsa having representation. I contend that the City Council has more to do with the mid town concentration. The County appoints three commissioners, each from the three districts. District 1 represented by John Smaligo, has continued to re-appoint Gail Carnes, Republican,  for 20+ years. District 1 is represents north Tulsa city and county. Carnes works on or near Admiral and lives in south Tulsa. District 3 is represented by Fred Perry. Gary Sparks, an archetictect, resigned within the last year. He lived in south Tulsa. Perry appointed John Dix, Republican, a retired QT real estate acquistioner, who lives in Collinsville. Not sure how that represents south Tulsa. District 2 includes midtown and west Tulsa. I live and work in Florence Park (15th and Harvard area) and travel to west Tulsa daily. Furthermore, my family's business was at 41st and Maybelle Ave. for many years. I am a Democrat, and a small business owner for 7 years, after teaching Physics at TU for several years. I replaced Wes Harmon who sat on the TMAPC from April 1998 until April 2008.

The rest of the commissioners are appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the City Council.
Presently on the TMAPC – Keith McArtor, Democrat – Lawyer lives in Riverview, works Downtown. Michelle Cantrell, Democrat – housewife, volunteer for Maria Barnes campaign, lives in North Maple Ridge; Josh Walker, Republican, commercial real estate, lives off 31st and Peoria; Phil Marshall, Democrat, semi-retired residential developer, lives in Brookside; Bill Lighty, Republican, residential real estate, lives in Florence Park ( Lighty replaced Chip Ard, commercial real estate); and last but not least – John Shivel, party unknown, retired military. Interesting connection is that his wife owns the land that is involved with the contentious Jenks bridge.   

I contested the make-up of the TMAPC at a meeting many moons ago. The developer and real estate interests are over represented. Mid-town is over represented. The status quo ideology appears to be that the TMAPC needs people who know about real estate. Neither real estate nor developers need a formal education, and land flux and flow could be determined in numerous other ways. What we don't have on the TMAPC is a neutral planner, (yes there are planners on staff through Incog), an environmentalist, social-economist, or any other profession that would actually be helpful to a planning commission in considering many of the complex issues that are presented. Economic feasibility studies would make sense. Impact studies would make sense. Requesting substantiaed sources of funding would make sense. Especially in situations like Bomsada (Enclave on Brookside) where many people were displaced due to a proposed large scale apartment complex that presently is sitting vacant. Yes, the economy went south and it will no doubt be years before it is economically feasible for Bomsada to be built. And in the meantime, people could still be living in the apartments that were torn down.

In fact, offices, apartments, and homes could still be rented at 14th and Utica. John Baumgarder purchased the land and demolished all the buildings to accommodate a 10-11 story office building. We now have an unofficial green space. An interesting side note is that Karen Keith had her campaign office in one of Baumgarders' buildings – at below market rent. 

I digress.

Representation. Many of the areas that Simonson stated needed representation have their own planning commissions. West Tulsa had Wes Harmon for 10 years. Mid town has not had a county representative in years.

So this claim – about better representation – is probably directed to City Council.  The question remains why Keith would use dwindling resources to stage a public hearing to remove an appointment now. The TMAPC is reducing meetings to twice a month due to general budget issues and the fact that the applications are not there. In other words, business is down. The only thing that I am aware of – of any significance is the comprehensive plan. Public hearings for the new comprehensive plan will begin in January. Along with the strategic portion will be the recommendations regarding the fate of the TMAPC. Then, the work on the zoning code itself begins. I am often one lone vote on the TMAPC in an attempt to support the concerns of property owners, the residents, the citizens of the city.

The public hearing for my removal will be November 23, conveniently right before Thanksgiving, if it is approved on Monday. 

I have been so honored and fortunate to serve as Commissioner. I have learned so much. The way a city plans determines its economic growth. I heard the phrase recently that without ardent effort, our city's core will continue to decline into the doughnut indicative of a city's demise. That core is downtown. A city is judged by its downtown. Downtown is the front door, the surrounding areas the walkway, and the lawn. Without planning that embraces all, respects all – well we get what we are willing to settle for.

Over the course of my time on the TMAPC I've been chewed up and spat out more times than I can count. I can remember slumping into my office wondering why I do this week after week and without fail I would get a call from a resident of Tulsa saying thank you. Big, giant, wonderful thank-yous. I truly wouldn't know what I had done to deserve the thank you – random calls from people who had watched TGOV – who said I fought for the little guy. They kept me going.

I don't take any of this personally. Karen Keith doesn't know me. I don't know her. The only connection I have with her is that she is married to the elder brother of a friend of mine who passed away fairly recently. My father knows of her through Rotary. As the cliché goes – its politics. That sublime retort isn't enough for me – whose politics is my question. One of my most near and dear courses in college was constitutional law. I had hopes of going into law during my pre-law studies at OU until I had one too many lawyers as instructors and one too many lectures justifying why lawyers can charge what they do. I saw friends go on to law school that wanted to make the world a better place (after all it was the '70's) and within a year were calculating their net incomes. I got involved with politics at the local level in Norman during those years, was an alternated delegate at the state convention (maybe district level – I don't remember). Saw far too many hooligans and misbehaviors. I retreated into the relatively safe world of engineering physics. Time space continuums are truly much cozier than the messy world of people at times.

I never forgot what constitutional law taught me. Nor do I take our rights for granted. However, I do understand and respect the complacency which is chosen by some. That is another essay for another day. Within politics we find master manipulators. We find very small fish that are under the delusion they are big fish – their pond vision is so small. But we are all very small fish in a very large pond. We can make a difference – be it good or not so good. But ultimately we have to look at ourselves in the morning and answer to our loved ones along the way. It isn't the problems – it is the way we handle them that marks maturity – that show we have evolved.  Never a perfect path, full of fits and starts, but always, always worth it. 

No doubt I will be removed. Keith has county resources to appoint her friends wherever she so chooses and the political advice to guide her. I do hope questions can be raised concerning representations that matter, really matter to the citizens of Tulsa. I hope term limits will be discussed. I hope that since this will be setting precedence as to what determines grounds for removal we get clear statements. I am subject to the ethics which govern state officials. Simonson told me that those grounds were not clear. Odd, but that is what he said.

I do want to take the moment to thank whole heartedly the staff at INCOG. If being a commissioner is thankless, then I am not sure what to say about the staff. They deserve accolades. I noticed the details although I didn't make verbal note – so to all of the staff thank you.

[rwarn17588]

And you attack my credibility? You don't even know me.  FCK YOU.  Just sayin'

You've made plenty of intemperate and stupid comments on this forum, not including "FCK YOU" just now.

I stand by what I said.

[inteller]

is a county public hearing open for anyone to speak or is it more like a legal proceding where you present your witnesses and they present theirs?  and are they televised?  great insight on the work sessions.  i always knew thats where there underhanded dealings took place out of sight from television.

[janiedoll]

I think having a educated, well informed, inquisitive citizen, like Elizabeth Wright, on the TAMPC, and willing to ask questions, is a public servant representing all of Tulsa.  What can we do as citizens to ensure that all the members of the TAMPC feel free to question zoning changes without ramifications?  How does one go about filing a complaint on a county commissioner?

[sgrizzle]

I think having a educated, well informed, inquisitive citizen, like Elizabeth Wright, on the TAMPC, and willing to ask questions, is a public servant representing all of Tulsa.  What can we do as citizens to ensure that all the members of the TAMPC feel free to question zoning changes without ramifications?  How does one go about filing a complaint on a county commissioner?

I encourage people in office like TMAPC members to ask questions and dig into issues. I am not okay with a member of any board publicly speaking in direct opposition to the board's ruling. It undermine's the board as a whole and is disrespectful to your fellow board members.

[swake]

I think having a educated, well informed, inquisitive citizen, like Elizabeth Wright, on the TAMPC, and willing to ask questions, is a public servant representing all of Tulsa.  What can we do as citizens to ensure that all the members of the TAMPC feel free to question zoning changes without ramifications?  How does one go about filing a complaint on a county commissioner?

That would be at your local polling station

[Liz Wright]

is a county public hearing open for anyone to speak or is it more like a legal proceding where you present your witnesses and they present theirs?  and are they televised?  great insight on the work sessions.  i always knew thats where there underhanded dealings took place out of sight from television.

First -- A giant Thank you to all who have called and emailed support and questions.

Re the county public hearing - I am assuming it is like the TMAPC hearing where people may speak for 3-5 minutes. The fun part about this process - what I have discovered thus far is that:
1. The county meetings are not televised. I am not even sure if they are recorded for the public at all.
2. There is no oversight of the county commissioners. Complaints against the county commissioners go thru the DA and guess who the DA works for? The county commissioners. So they are the courtroom, judge and jury.

3. What this means - Keith could have said she doesn't like my hair color and since she gets to make the charge and judge the charge... Hopefully you get the picture, see the ineptness of the system and understand why it didn't matter that there was a huge uproar over Bell's and it just didn't matter. The county wanted the land, they got the land.

The cost was Randi Miller being voted out of office - that was the only way for citizens to have oversight. By then, Bell's was gone and we have a huge parking lot. Oh and the water park - recall it seem to skirt the same scrutiny Bells went through.

The only way, the only way - I cannot emphasize this enough to make any changes to the economic stranglehold is to put pressure on the elected officials. Remember all three vote on issues regardless of where those issues are located.

Here are the county commissioner information:

District 1: John Smaligo, jsmaligo@tulsacounty.org, (918) 596-5020
District 2: Karen Keith, kkeith@tulsacounty.org, (918) 596-5016
District 3: Fred Perry, fperry@tulsacounty.org, (918) 596-5010

That is all for now --

Thank you

Liz Wright

[inteller]

I encourage people in office like TMAPC members to ask questions and dig into issues. I am not okay with a member of any board publicly speaking in direct opposition to the board's ruling. It undermine's the board as a whole and is disrespectful to your fellow board members.

well dude you can call it whatever you want, but it is her RIGHT as a private citizen to do so.  and let's not even talk about the other board members and disrespect.

[cannon_fodder]

I personally spoke with Ms. Miller during the Bell's affair and was assured that it wasn't going to be "just a parking lot".  While it appears to be just a parking lot a few years later, I'm sure it is really something else.   

[Liz Wright]

I encourage people in office like TMAPC members to ask questions and dig into issues. I am not okay with a member of any board publicly speaking in direct opposition to the board's ruling. It undermine's the board as a whole and is disrespectful to your fellow board members.

Quick reply -
Scott - I haven't written about speaking before the City Council yet. Had to do with John Baumgarder doing a private covenant so as to avoid doing a PUD at 14th and Utica. His reason? He didn't want to. That was it. He claimed an urgent need to get this Office zoned so as to seal the deal with some elusive client. As you can see - timeliness was not an issue. Making a private citizen covenant opens a pandora box of issues. Beginning with - there is no one to enforce it. The reason why it was given? This gets interesting - not one, not two, but more than three individuals state that they saw the Baumgarder representatives texting to a TMAPC commissioner during the hearing. The covenant was actually suggested by that commissioner.

Sticky deal wouldn't you say.

The whole private covenant was motioned and so quickly voted on that several of us were spinning our heads "what was that?".

I spoke with John Eagleton about the matter. I went to the Tuesday morning meeting and spoke - I clearly stated I was speaking as a private citizen and was concerned about the possible legal ramifications. I spoke at the Thursday night meeting, again as a private citizen.

Legal for Baumgarders development was (and probably still is Roy Johnson) - given the glares and the sparks I received I pretty much think he was not a happy camper.

The outcome - The TMAPC spent weeks, months updating and amending the TMAPC Ethics code. The last time was ... a long time ago, maybe 1999 or '04. I'd have to go back and look. So obvioulsy I irritated a few folks with stating the obvious.
The new code violates First Amendment rights. Any citizen, any citizen has the right to speak before the City Council.

It is very easy to make assumptions about what happens when one doesn't attend regularly and doesn't have a glimmer of the innerworkings. I am trying to shed light on the process.

Fortunately, the TMAPC has a wonderful, wonderful person do a fantastic job on our minutes. Contrast to the City Council minutes and literally no information is provided regarding the discussions. Whereas the TMAPC gives who and what was said, the City Council provides who showed up and what the vote was.

I must go. Hope that helps to clarify things a little.

Liz Wright

[Liz Wright]

well dude you can call it whatever you want, but it is her RIGHT as a private citizen to do so.  and let's not even talk about the other board members and disrespect.

Okay --

I do want to make this very clear -- I support the concept of TMAPC, I support the INCOG and its five functions. If there are systemic problems within the relationship between the institutions and the city and the citizens, that does not mean we throw out the baby with the bathwater. Have there been wrongs? Yes. Has there been a long history of commissioners using their position to further real estate and development deals? Yes. Can that be corrected? Yes. We start by not appointing people who make a living off real estate and development. It took years for Houston to get the RE and development cartel out of their city government.

I am a very proud member of the TMAPC. Please do not ever think otherwise. Ever.

However, every institution, every concept, every ideal should withstand scrutiny. I like questions, I like critical pursuit. That which is weak and ineffective will fall away.

Test the institutions that represent you - else, well you get inflexible, non-representative government. That which runs from questions ususally is hiding something. Something not good. 

I am now officially late -

Cheer -
Liz Wright