Worksession Televised After All

As >Rockville Central readers know, the Mayor and Council recently chose to stop televising their worksessions, in hopes of creating an atmosphere more conducive to getting work done. This was a decision taken at their recent off-site retreat. The worry was that cameras rolling could tend to spur a bit of grandstanding, when what is needed is a more informal, get-it-done approach.

Worksessions would remain open to the public, just not be televised on The Rockville Channel.

The move created a great deal of controversy, if my email inbox is to be believed. A number of readers shared comments with me decrying the move. For my part, while I understand the desire that all public officials have to be able to get down to work without looking over their shoulder, I also believe that more transparency rather than less is a good thing. And, given that there is a precedent already set that such meetings are televised, it seems to be more trouble than it is worth to shut the lights off.

Rumors had been crossing my desk in the last few days that, if viewers care to tune in to The Rockville Channel sometime shortly after 7pm to tonight’s Mayor and Council meeting, they would find the cameras to be rolling and will be able to observe our local government’s deliberations over the FY09 City budget.

I am happy to say the rumors were true. After returning from a Cub Scout event, I popped open my browser and lo and behold, a streaming live PowerPoint presentation on the City’s water system greeted me. Joy!

I applaud our elected leaders for making a good choice. I know personally it is sometimes painful to go back on a public decision!

If you missed tonight’s Mayor and Council meeting, you should now be able to watch it repeated on The Rockville Channel.

(Image from Allie’s Answers.)

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