City Council is lost
Lawrence City Council is lost at best. I would venture to say that they don’t know what they are doing. I am generalizing so don’t get offended if you think you are the exception.
The last meeting held on January 15th was painful to watch yet, I watched twice. I did because I couldn’t believe that so much time could be devoted to conversing trying to figure out what they want to do. In their ambivalence, they lose, the city loses and the taxpayers are made to feel like idiots for watching them – like me!
I encourage everyone to see not only the council meetings but the subcommittee meetings because their decision – no matter how much they blunder – they make the laws that we must obey.
The hiring of a City Attorney is getting sickening. There’s no reason for having taken this long, subjecting us to ulcers and high blood pressure. Well, the high blood pressure is caused by Councilor Maria De La Cruz. After a one hour discussion on how to proceed with Brian Corrigan and suggesting interviewing Raquel Ruano, María came up with the easiest solution: “Why don’t we let them choose among themselves who is going to be attorney #1, #2 and #3?” Just thinking about it makes my blood boil.
Even the Council president was lost.
Fortaleciendo la Familia radio show
Last Thursday, Lawrence Police Chief Roy Vasque was the guest on the program, accompanied by Lieutenant Maurice Aguiler as his interpreter. For several days, Alfonso Rodriguez and Leslie Mendez were telling the audience that, due to the lack of time, they will be taking only questions, not comments or opinions because it was expected to be a packed show.
It was indeed very informative and the questions kept coming. I was listening attentively waiting to see if anyone would ask about the encrypting of the police scan. When it finally came, Chief Vasque responded in a direct way. The main reason has been the safety of the officers because many people have scanners but also the bad guys have them. They could be tipped off as to where they will be going and the reason so there’s a chance they may follow them and no one would argue that their safety is of the utmost importance.
Chief Vasque said there is no intention to hide anything from the public because the police log is available if anyone wants to check out any incident. That used to be called “Police Log” and it was changed to “Press Log.” I wonder how much it has been edited or downplayed.
I like Chief Vasque but I disagree with him regarding the openness he talks about. Some people have said this is for the purpose of hiding crimes and pretend we live in a safe city. We cannot depend on the media to broadcast crimes committed unless someone dies. We turn to Facebook and social media in order to learn a little more about things that go on in our neighborhoods and the information is not always credible.
Anyone interested in listening to the interview should check it on Facebook under Fortaleciendo la Familia (Strenghtening Families). Although it is in Spanish, you’ll understand the Chief.
