Klattenberg Says Keep the Meetings on TV

In a letter addressed to the Middletown Press, Middletown Common Council member and mayoral candidate Ron Klattenberg offers his thoughts on the cablecast TV transmission of town meetings:

During the January city-wide Community Conversations city residents told us they expect more transparency,better communication and greater openness with their local government. They noted that an informed electorate can make better choices for their community. Mayor Giuliano’s new plan to stop broadcasting Common Council and Planning and Zoning Commission meetings on the city’s public access channel flies in the face of these expectations. Ironically, the mayor announced his plan at the March 2 Common Council meeting when the broadcast’s audio failed, and people viewing at home could not hear his intentions.

For many residents, these broadcasts are their only available link to decisions being made by local elected officials. The nominal cost of these broadcasts (approx $13,000) is insignificant when compared to the direct access to government decision-making residents receive by this coverage. I will oppose the mayor as he attempts to limit the public's right to observe government's process and hold their elected officials accountable.