Last night we had our organizational meeting for the Village. This is when we decide who is going to serve on what committee or as a liaison, who will be the chairs of the committees, etc.
I've also been psyching myself up to get more writing done in the new year. With the help of the Mayor I've been able to keep the time spent on Council Work down, although it's been a major part of my head space, especially these past two months.
There, that's a synopsis. And then things go from bad to worse.
Last last year one of our fellow councilmen suffered a stroke. He's healing up well (from what we understand), but he still isn't back to being able to get about and serve. He was also one of my fellow chairmen.
Can you see where this is going?
On the plus side, I'm no longer Chairman of Streets, Lands and Buildings. Don't get me wrong, I liked serving in that capacity. I like our Village Employee(s). I think we did some good, but I'm glad for the relief of responsibility. I'm still a member of the committee, but now I get to give advice, instead of making policy and direction. Hopefully that would clear up some head space and energy. However, still serving on the committee means an equal number of monthly meetings.
And then there's the other thing. I'm still a chairman. Only now I'm chairman of Safety (which means the Police and Fire Departments). Safety has two meetings a month. And the reason for that seems a good one, but maybe I can convince people to merge them back together. I can't say more than that.
Cycle repeats.
I've been involved with the Safety Committee, and have had talks with the Chiefs more than once, but I've never served on the committee. Now I'm chair. Oh boy.
Cycle repeats.
There are a few controversies involving the Safety Committee right at the moment. Well, controversy isn't the word. Contention, individual upset, bruhaha, those might be better.
So to sum up, I go from one extra mandatory meeting a month to three (add to that the main council meetings). Jump into the middle of committee work with no ramp up. And become a target for an existing bruhaha.
Can you see that my New Year's Cup o' Joy is overflowing already?
Yeah, I didn't sleep well last night either.
6 comments:
Steve,
I don't see your problem. You're now in a position to petition the Feds for some of that-there Homeland Security money. When they send you your duffel bag of cash, the first thing you do is commission a Buchheit-Bot. The Bot stands in for you at meetings you don't feel like attending.
Problem solved. You're Welcome.
I'm sensing a story bone just on the word Bucheit-Bot alone! LOL
Take your laptop and write at the meetings. What?
Buchheit Bot 2008 for village council...
Won't the cops and firefighters have better stories than the street pavers and surveyors?
Nathan, actually, I was in a better position with the Streets for the Fed money. But I like the bot idea. Either that or I'll wrestle Scalzi to the floor at Confusion and get his cloning secrets.
Jim, I'd like to, except I'm running the meetings AND taking notes for reports.
Camille, but then I'd have to buy new signs. I haven't done that for over four years.
Todd, well, there is that possibility. It's time to schedule ride-alongs with both. Although, never discount what those who plow your roads late at night see.
Post a Comment