| OCTOBER
1, 2001 REQUEST FOR A BETTER AUDIO SYSTEM INSIDE COUNCIL MEETING CHAMBERS (From Stan Otto to Laura Koenig) |
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Note: Improvement to the city's audio system has been repeatedly and often requested by residents, due to the inability to hear what is being said. And despite offers by volunteers to correct the problem free of charge to the taxpayers, the problem has --it would seem purposefully -- continues to be ignored, despite equipment which has been purchased for this purpose, which lies, gathering dust. The assumption would be that it is in the city's best interests for residents NOT to be able to hear what is being said. This assumption is supported by the fact that most of the city's tapes we have listened to have been virtually inaudible, despite communication with the city to advise them of this problem. And, of course, based on the city's recent ruse of objecting t the placement of our microphone for recording these meetings, even to a casual observer this would seem to support that assumption. If this is an incorrect assumption, then I will be the first to admit my mistake. ----- Original Message ----- From: STAN OTTO, Willow Run resident and community activist > Laura: I have talked to many citizens of this community who state that they > cannot hear what is being talked about at the City Council Meetings. I > personally have ear damage that cannot be corrected due to working in the > woods running a power saw for many years. Most cities have mic's for each > council member and a PA system so all in attendance can hear what is being > talked about. Could you please check into this and see what can be done to > correct the problem. I believe as tax payers and citizens, we all have the > right to hear and understand what is being said at the meetings. > Thank you for looking into this. > > Stan Otto, Willow Run Avenue > COMMENT ON ABOVE FROM L. STORM: From: Loretta Storm To: Stan Otto, Laura Koenig Cc: Candidates for city council, Russ Sumpter, Jeff Everett, Ron Kraut, Mark Raney, Cindy Broughton Subject: Re: City Council Meetings Date: Thursday, October 11, 2001 6:35 AM I am replying to all, but specifically to Stan and Laura... Stan: Thank you for communicating this problem anew. One of my largest criticisms about the luxurious new city hall was form over function. It's a beautiful building, but the communication structure was infinitely more important, part of which is a quality audio amplification system in the council chambers and part of which is a decent recording system. By the way, for everyone's information, I received duplicate tapes of the 7/1/99 Hearing Examiner hearing re Willow Trace revisions and there is approximately 5-10% audio on it. I mean, you can tell someone is speaking, but you cannot hear a word of it. Laura: How can we improve upon this situation? As you'll recall, Ray volunteered his time in April/May of 2000 to set up the recording system properly so that it would record adequately. And I understand from Chris Schumacher that PA-type equipment has been available and onsite at city hall for quite some time.[emphasis added]. I also understand the concept of juggling priorities and bumping this type of improvement to the bottom of the pile. But the issue of proper communication is NOT going to go away. Indeed, as more time passes without improvements, the more significant the issue becomes. It's in everyone's best interests to improve our communication. Let's start with being able to actually hear Bob Ostrom and C. H. Rowe from the back of the room, currently an impossibility. Thanks Stan and Laura, Loretta
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