In the 10 years I have covered the Fishers town and city councils, I have witnessed many a debate about taxes, development and other major issues facing the city. But Monday night I saw something I have never seen before covering news here – a sharp difference of opinion over the meeting minutes – you read that correctly, the meeting minutes.
It all began when Councilor Jocelyn Vare pointed out that the most recent meeting minutes up for approval were not written in the detail that she had seen in previous minutes. For example, when there was a discussion among council members, the minutes only noted the discussion, not a summary of what was discussed.
Pete Peterson responded that the city provides a live stream and recorded video of each council session for the public. Vare said residents should not need to sort through a long video to find a particular discussion.
Peterson then referred to Vare’s recent announcement of her intention to run for the District 31 State Senate seat.
“We’re not running a campaign here,” Peterson said. Vare argued she was pushing for transparency, but Peterson said the city has been very transparent.
“This grandstanding stuff needs to stop with me,” said Councilor Peterson. “I’m not going to tolerate it, it wastes our time.”
Council President Selina Stoller says she has spoken with City Clerk Jennifer Kehl and sometimes council members forget to turn their microphones on and cannot be heard clearly. There are also instances, according to Stoller, when councilors lean back in their chairs even when the microphones are working and cannot be clearly heard. This can also an extra burden on Clerk Kehl’s staff.
Council member Crystal Neuman supported Vare’s position on the minutes as an educator, saying people consume information in different ways and adding discussion summaries should not be “a huge deal.”
Clerk Kehl then said she had asked her employee filling-in for her at council meetings when Kehl must be away to “be a little more thorough in taking the minutes.”
The proposal by Vare was defeated by a vote of 7-2, with Vare and Neumann, the only Democrats on the council, voting to amend the minutes. Therefore, the meeting minutes remain as originally submitted.
Arguing that councilwoman Vare was grandstanding (which wasn’t apparent on Youtube) was grandstanding itself and I’m sure it will provide her with campaign benefits she hadn’t intended. Mansplaining in red-faced anger isn’t a good look among leadership arguing about the benefits of Youtube versus the written word. Perhaps more women are needed on the council to maintain decorum.
Apparently, several City Council members do not read last month’s minutes before voting to approve them. Aren’t minutes official public documents? Then why require the vote? It appears the “good old boys club” has shown their hand. Pete Petersen owes Fishers City Council members, the public, and Jocelyn Vare a public apology…waiting
I attended the November meeting. The incident described was the most disgusting, rage filled disrespectful tirade I have ever witnessed in my attendance at Fishers Council meetings.
What was equally bad was that nothing was done to stop the unwarranted bullying and harassment that Councilor Vare received.
Yes, multiple public apologies are in order. Censorship is not out of the question.
Councilor Peterson’s behavior was inexcusable and totally contrary to the purpose of his office. I am in total agreement with the previous comments ; we all reach a point when it is best to evaluate our lives.