Step Up To The Plate

Mayor Einstein may have been thrown a few curveballs in his first weeks on the job, with the city manager and city attorney resigning, a search committee being thrust upon him as a parting shot of the former administration, and a group of councilors slow to show him the same respect they gave to his predecessor, but he seems to be keeping his own eye on the ball when it comes to ‘moving forward’.

In keeping with his campaign promise to make City Hall more open to the people, Geneva residents have several opportunities to make their voices heard on key issues facing the city.

This week, residents of every ward can attend open meetings with their representatives to share their hopes for the new city manager. On Tuesday night (1/15) residents of wards 4, 5, and 6 will meet at the Sons of Italy lodge on Prospect Avenue. On Wednesday night (1/16) residents of wards 1, 2, and 3 will meet in the FLCC Geneva Extension Center on Pulteney Street. Both meetings begin at 7pm. In addition, meetings are being scheduled for business interests, members of the education community, city staff, and community agency representatives. Each meeting will give participants the opportunity to discuss the qualities or values they would like to see in candidates for the position.

In response to community concerns about the lakefront visioning process (see our post on that) two additional sessions have been scheduled to receive public input on the plan. On Thursday (1/17) at 7pm, the lakefront steering committee will host a public comment session at the North Street School auditorium. On Tuesday, January 22nd, beginning at 6:30pm, the public is invited to participate in a lakefront ‘design charrette’ at the Ramada Inn. A charrette is an interactive brainstorming activity, usually involving large group discussion and then small group activities aimed at getting as many ideas on the table as possible. Because this event will involve hands on activities (like sketching lakefront maps) an RSVP to the planning department is requested by January 18th, but the director assured the newspaper that no one would be turned away.

On the city website you will find more information about these sessions as well as surveys on each topic (city manager search and lakefront visioning) for you to complete.

These are unprecedented opportunities for community participation in City governance. Certainly not the same old game. The public has been called up to the governing team. So, step up to the plate, and get involved. Maybe you'll hit a homerun!