Brownsboro Area Business Association

Obviously I made this way too confusing. Let me simplify.

I have one complaint. It is that the posting of information on the web site during a massive power outage is not very efficient. So yes, I'm a complainer, who, some seem to suggest, should not ask questions of my government.

I have several questions I had hoped were open for discussion:

1. What are reasonable expectations of our mayor and council during a crisis? They have homes and families also. And as Mr. Langford pointed out, jobs too. I had not thought of that.

2. Are there more appropriate ways for the council to communicate with its constituency during a crisis?

3. How well did we do with our current disaster plan? Was it effective?

4. Do we need to better organize the flow of information during a crisis?

DOES ANYONE HAVE A THOUGHT ABOUT ONE OF THE QUESTIONS LISTED ABOVE?

I was corrected yesterday by Ken Fleming's  that he did contact us at least once.

The only solution I see as far as communications is if we get the Block Watch Captains, Council Members and Volunteers to deliver flyers during a power outage like we had.

Overall I feel the city did what it was supposed to do in clearing the streets for utilities, emergency vehicles and for residents. 

George LangforCouncilman

Some neighbors and I were out in the yard discussing the August council minutes last night (and boy, is there some serious anger about the abuse of power and conflict of interest...to the point of organizing a response... but that's for another time) when several reported having read this thread of posts and made a few interesting observations. All five reported that, though they agreed that my questioning was warranted, they felt that I left out, or did not make clear something very important. I agree.  So let me correct that now.

I appreciate all that the council did in the aftermath of the storm. They indeed walked the neighborhood, assisted their neighbors with cleaning up, and they showed genuine concern for their constituents. Their interest was clearly in serving those in need. Thank you all so much. I'm sorry I did not lead this thread with such an observation. It must truly be frustrating to be in the public eye and (to borrow from another thread) be under such a microscope. Again, Thank you for you time and concern.

My neighbors and I also agreed that Mr. Langford is one the right track regarding assessing the situation with the block watch captains. We would like to suggest that they add to their discussion how information may flow up through the captains and then also back down through the captains... including phone trees and knocking on doors. But is that asking too much of the Block Watch Captains?

I forgot to add, my neighbors and I all agreed that, ultimately, it is our own responsibility to stay informed. All we're asking of the council is to seek better ways to distribute information.

The consensus was also that what we are most concerned about are the elderly and ill. But we also agreed that rather than waiting for our council to do something, it is up to each of us to be the good neighbor and do something ourselves. One of the tragedies of government, church staffs, social work professionals, etc. is that it allows us to pass off responsibilities to the "professionals" rather than becoming involved ourselves.

All right, Thanks for listening