W-B-Area-revised-feasibility-study.pdf

Revised and expanded construction plans at WB Area special meeting

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Letter to the Editor: Strengthen area families – and support dreams – with donation to the Family Service Association

<p>It&#8217;s time to allow observers in Wilkes-Barre, and far beyond, to keep up to date on city council business by routinely posting videos of its meetings &#8211; and the madcap conversation and behavior that sometimes unfold.</p><p>The recordings might not ever draw the audience of a viral YouTube cat video, or even a testy exchange on C-SPAN. But they will provide an extra degree of transparency.</p><p>For people who can&#8217;t, or won&#8217;t, attend a City Hall session, videos supply an unfiltered view of government that goes beyond the facts presented in meeting minutes and news reporters&#8217; coverage. By now, constituents in many communities consider recordings of public meetings, or live broadcasts of them, a standard part of democracy in the digital age.</p><p>Wilkes-Barre&#8217;s residents should have the same expectation.</p><p>At Thursday night&#8217;s regular meeting, council members are expected to vote on a resolution that allows for the purchase of recording equipment and the eventual posting of meeting videos. Credit council newcomer Beth Gilbert for spearheading the initiative. If all goes as planned, the videos soon will be made available via YouTube and the city&#8217;s Internet site, <a href="http://wilkes-barre.city/" target="_blank">wilkes-barre.city</a>.</p><p>Among the potential benefits: City residents might watch and develop an interest in how their government functions, becoming familiar with the issues and the protocol for fixing problems. In a best-case scenario, they would be emboldened to attend council sessions and speak up. Or run for office.</p><p>Similarly, the videos could expose a wider audience to the pitfalls of public service. A toxic atmosphere has permeated certain Wilkes-Barre Council gatherings in prior years, punctuated by contentious and childish actions, including name-calling. Perturbed residents usually, but not always, were the agitators.</p><p>It remains to be seen if recording council&#8217;s sessions will encourage attendees to be on their best behavior or become more boorish. But at least more Wilkes-Barre residents potentially will be able to watch the proceedings and decide for themselves who&#8217;s in the right, who&#8217;s in the wrong, and whether their city government is operating as it should.</p><style>
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<div class="metaInfo"><factboxMeta><p><strong>Attend meeting</strong></p><p>Wilkes-Barre Council is scheduled to hold its next regular meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday in council chambers, on the fourth floor of City Hall, 40 E. Market St.</p></factboxMeta></div>

Our Opinion: Provide Wilkes-Barre residents clear view of city council business by posting video of meetings