Chamber Renews Call to Bloomsburg Council for More Information
On Monday, Oct. 9, Bloomsburg Town Council voted 6-1 to advertise an ordinance that would add considerable detail to the Town Manager’s job description. In previous public meetings regarding this issue, the Chamber has suggested that Council take a more comprehensive approach to detailing the processes of Town Hall. At the most recent Council meeting, the Chamber offered specific suggestions on how to improve communications.
An original draft of the ordinance was considered by Council earlier in the summer. Public concern over the language as well as the process by which the draft was developed led Council to send the ordinance back to committee for further discussion. Following several public workshops, the Town’s Personnel Committee was working on revising the draft ordinance. However, the Administration/Finance Committee forwarded a version at its meeting Oct. 4, and another version was apparently sent to Council members the afternoon of Oct. 9.
“I hope you can appreciate how difficult it is for the public to follow issues,” said Chamber President Fred Gaffney at the Oct. 9 meeting.
During the Bloomsburg Candidate Forum held Oct. 4, several of the incumbent Council members asked that concerns be brought to them proactively to be discussed and addressed, rather than having contentious Council meetings. With the confusion regarding the development of this ordinance, the Chamber again suggested that all committee meeting agendas, prior meeting minutes, and relevant materials be placed on the town’s website in advance of meetings.
“This would allow all interested parties time to review materials, gather information, ask questions, and provide relevant feedback at appropriate times,” said Gaffney. “Refining the process should save time and money, and encourage more positive collaboration within Town Hall and with the public.”
The Chamber will be working on a list of other concerns to present to the incoming Town Council following the November election.