Out of the blue, Councilmember Tony Daysog suddenly has a new priority. He wants to expand the city council from five to seven members. (Daysog’s Swearing-in Ceremony Speech, Alameda Sun, Dec. 29)
What gives? This expansion was not part of his recent campaign platform nor proposed during his 18 years of service on the council, including his stint on the recent city-charter-review subcommittee. There has been no community outcry for such an expansion either.
Can you imagine how much longer city council meetings will last if this happens? The council can barely get through its meetings in a timely fashion as it is, often having to continue agenda items. Adding two more members with another nine minutes for each to speak on every issue could make meetings go later into the night, hindering public participation.
Daysog claims that “for a city of our size,” having more councilmembers would make for a more “responsive city hall.” But Alameda is a relatively small city. Continue reading →
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