Comment Rescue: Sussex Co. Gov’t to Shut Down until Phillips recovers
From Councilwoman Joan Deaver in the comments:
“I hope Vance comes back to council soon because I think I heard Mike Vincent tell him that we will have no hearings until Vance returns.”
While we all wish Vance well and hope he recovers quickly, the truth of the matter is that, with his type of injury, he can expect a lengthy rehabilitation. And while Phillips may be able to return constituent calls from his hospital bed, he may not be able to attend meetings for a time. With all due respect to Mr. Phillips, should that mean that the Sussex County Council grinds to a halt until he can return?
No.
The council is comprised of five members, including Phillips. Without Phillips, it goes down to four. I imagine, even though the party composition of the council then would be 3-1 in favor of the Republicans, that there will be tie votes on occasion. Only with respect to those votes will Vance’s vote be needed.
So I hope Mr. Vincent was just being very respectful to Vance and trying to motivate him in his recovery. But county government has to go on.
According to the Sussex County website the agenda is posted for next Tuesday’s County Council meeting. If the Council is going to shut down until Mr. Phillips’ return, I would think they would have made some sort of announcement by now.
http://www.sussexcountyde.gov/docs/agendasMinutes/pdfs/council/agenda/Council%20Agenda%20110811.pdf
Yeah, I suspect it was something Vincent told Vance, while not having any intention to go through with it.
Or maybe Joan Deaver is stirring the pot…
If he’s not able to make it, who is going to read the big words?
Geez they just could’nt livestream the holy event.
Well, it could be explained by a nuance of language…
It’s like the meetings could go on as scheduled, but whether anything important and pressing was settled would probably wait until Vance was back…
Said like this:
“We won’t HAVE any HEARINGS (wink, wink) until Vance returns”
I support a lighter schedule out of respect for Councilman Phillips but people who have scheduled hearings have rights.
Mike put off the Dec 13 adequate public facilities ordinance workshop to some time in January saying that Dec 13 is too close to Christmas.
We all wish Vance well and hope he recovers quickly, especially me because I have him in my Fantasy Wingnut League.
Joan –
First, if a public hearing has been scheduled and advertised, it must happen on that date – otherwise the advertisement process must start all over again.
Second, there’s a hearing on the agenda for next week. If it’s not going to happen, the agenda should be edited to reflect that.
Third, a workshop is not a hearing. A workshop is an informal discussion during a public meeting; a hearing must be specifically advertised. A workshop does not have to include public input; a hearing must include public input.
Fourth, it’s been several months since you brought up the APFO idea, meaning there have been ample opportunities to hold the workshop. There have been multiple meetings in recent weeks with extremely light agendas when such a workshop could have been scheduled. Why didn’t you place it on the agenda then?
I think the problem is that no mere council person may place an item on the agenda. They can request it but I would guess that the agenda is controlled by the President.
Nancy,
Your guess is utterly wrong. Any council member can place an item on the agenda.
According to the NJ, Council President Mike Vincent will bring ths issue to council at our next meeting.
Vincent said he was referring to the adequate public facilities ordinance that must wait until Vance Phillips returns. He also told us that the APFO workshop was too close to Christmas and would occur later. How does one person who serves on a council of five make these decisions all by himself?
Did you ask him that question, and what did he say?
I brought it up and he said we’ll have it after the holidays. What goes on behind closed door? I intend to find out.