Taking government all over the city
Count the initial south-side meeting of the Santa Fe City Council a success. Last week, rather than gather in council chambers on West Marcy Street as is customary, the council and new Mayor Alan Webber headed south. They met at the Southside Branch Library in District 3. That wasn’t because the agenda particularly affected residents there. City officials just wanted to take government to the people rather than simply requiring the people to drive downtown.
According to a count taken at the meeting, some 192 people attended the session (the head librarian had a clicker in hand to add up the numbers). That’s without a District 3-specific item on the agenda or any particular controversy to be discussed. Young people were involved, too, with 30 participants from the Boys & Girls Clubs setting up the chairs and helping out before the meeting started. What a firsthand lesson in civic engagement. Good for them and good for the city for bringing in the kids.
Public comment was engaged, with several speakers addressing the council in Spanish — with translations for both English-only speakers or Spanish speakers. All could understand, whether a city councilor who did not understand Spanish or a Spanish-speaker discussing parks who did not know English. The translation was electronic, so that people could listen throughout the meeting without interruption. That’s important because equal access to government is essential for all our residents.
Why the big turnout? Webber said he thinks people just wanted to see what the business of governing is all about. Some speakers, too, had important information for the city — wage theft by employers was a concern, something the city will follow up on. Others wanted to tell councilors that they want more parks, soccer fields and other types of recreation in their part of town. Representatives of Somos un Pueblo Unido, the advocacy group for immigrants, were there, as were members of the group, but many speakers were not affiliated with any particular group or organization.
The meeting went so well that residents can expect more such gatherings, and not just in District 3. Webber says he wants to see council meetings in all four council districts, and residents can expect a calendar soon showing when and where those will happen. This is bringing government to the people, and it’s something we encourage.
After all, the child setting up chairs at the library could be the young lady who grows up to run for office herself. Watching the give and take of governing close to the people can draw even a youngster in, changing a life forever. Even if that doesn’t happen, the residents of District 3 have to feel more assured that the government of Santa Fe is for all the people — not just the ones living close to downtown.
All elected officials — city, county, state or federal — can do more to bring the business of governing closer to the people. That doesn’t mean moving meetings physically in all cases. State legislative committees could do something as simple as starting meetings on time and as advertised. County or city governments could stop taking important votes late at night, when most people have gone home. If there’s a big meeting in a larger location, put out better chairs so attendees can be comfortable while testimony is being taken. Think of public comment not as a nuisance to endure, but as a way to talk to residents directly.
Listening more to all citizens is one of Mayor Webber’s biggest promises. This is a great first step. Next, we see hours for constituent services representatives in libraries, coffee shops and out and about around the city. Going out to see people where they are, at times and places more convenient for them, not bureaucrats, will create progress and unity in Santa Fe. Keep it up.