By Dave Fidlin
Correspondent
Should an elected representative serve on each of Whitewater’s boards, commissions and committees? This was a question officials grappled with recently.
Patrick Singer, who helms the Common Council, discussed with his elected colleagues on Feb. 2 the prospect of changing the member composition of three appointed bodies: the Birge Fountain Committee, Cable Committee and Landmarks Commission.
The proposal, which was eventually taken off the table during a robust discussion, called for no longer requiring a council member have a seat on the three specific bodies. Instead of making a firm decision, the council is asking committees, commissions and boards to discuss the issue within their groups.
Singer said the impetus for the proposed change was twofold: bring in more citizen representatives and ease council members’ packed schedules.
“There have been times where it’s been pulling teeth to get someone to serve on some of these,” Singer said. “This is in no way meant to slight any of these committees.”
Council member James Langnes III, who serves on the Landmarks Commission, pinpointed that specific appointed group as one that might not need an elected representative at the table. Langnes said he has had difficulty making the meetings in the past because of scheduling conflicts.
“It really has no monetary impact on the city council,” Langnes said. “I think it would be better to have more citizen representatives.”
Several members of the Landmarks Commission implored the council to consider their decision thoughtfully and bemoaned the fact the issue was not first discussed within their group.
“I was caught off guard by this consideration,” commissioner Richard Helmick said. “(The Landmarks Commission) has done a whole list of things. Maybe the council should take another look and consider if it’s even a viable committee.”
From his perspective council member Lynn Binnie said he viewed the Cable Committee, which meets once or twice a year, as an important asset that should continue having council representation.
“This is probably one of the most public services we offer residents, if they have the cable system,” Binnie said.
