Pueblog USa
Thursday, November 29, 2007
How did Pueblo citizens lose their right to televised public comment?
Pueblo City Council Shuts Down Televised Public Comment Before Election!
On September 24th 2007 the Pueblo City Council voted to deny citizens the right to speak during regular televised city council meetings. The ability for citizens to address city council was moved to the work session meetings, which are not televised. This action was taken one month before the municipal election without any opportunity for public input.
This man’s sign says it all! - Photo Taken at Pueblo Freedom Rally - Pueblo City Hall 10/22/2007
“We the people have a right to be heard! The People of Pueblo have a right to hear the comments we make. “ - He gets it! Now if only Pueblo City Council would.
This is a major conflict of interest for this council. They should have never taken these steps with pending ballot issues one month before the vote. Pueblo Chieftain Managing Editor Steve Henson has said that Council was wrong to shut down televised public comment!
“Let’s get to it: The council doesn’t want to listen to the one or two people who constantly attend council meetings and complain about everything from the city charter to the size of light bulbs used at City Hall. They don’t want those comments televised.” - Steve Henson Pueblo Chieftain - Oct. 14
Here are the facts from the public record:
RESOLUTION NO. 11116 was passed by Pueblo City Council September 24th 2007
This measure eliminated your right to speak at regular televised city council meetings during the public forum.
The resolution was presented to council by Mr. Aguilera and seconded by Mrs. Ortegon, who moved to approve the Resolution.
Who voted for this? – Yes Votes: Aguilera, Ortegon, Thurston, Vidmar and Weaver. Motion carried unanimously. Councilmen Occhiato and Atencio were not present and did not get to vote on this measure.
What can we do as citizens to get back what has been taken from us?
• Contact your City Council members and voice your concerns.
• Write letters to the newspaper calling for a return of the televised public forum at the regular council meetings.
• Call into local talk radio shows to discuss this matter.
• Attend city council meetings and work sessions to protest this decision.
• Be a part of Citizens for Open Government. Send us an email to get involved!
Article by Chris Nicoll - Pueblo Citizens for Open Government
http://www.pueblofreespeech.org
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Try THIS This Weekend — 071127
More Thai, anyone?
Here’s a great sauce to go with your spring rolls or Chinese pot stickers.
Thai Spicy Peanut Sauce….
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Honey Come Quick!
Pueblo Citizens for Open Government - Political Cartoon
http://www.pueblofreespeech.org
Not A Public Meeting???
Are Pueblo City Council Meetings Public Meetings?
I thought I’d take a moment to comment on recent remarks by Pueblo
City Council President Judy Weaver. She continues to claim, “This is
our meeting being held in public; it’s not a public meeting.”
Not a public meeting? How can this possibly be? Has she read
Colorado’s Sunshine Law? This is the portion of the Colorado Revised
Statutes dealing with open meeting requirements. It just so happens
that the opening three paragraphs tell us all that we need to know.
“Local public body” means any board, committee, commission, authority,
policy-making, rule-making, political subdivision of the state…
“Meeting” means any kind of gathering, convened to discuss public
business, in person, by telephone, electronically, or by other means
of communication.
“Political subdivision of the state” includes, but is not limited to,
any county, city, city and county, town, home rule city, home rule
county, home rule city and county, school district…
It is worth mentioning that I searched this document thoroughly and I
could not find a “This is Our Meeting” clause anywhere. I think it is
fair to conclude that Pueblo City Council meetings are in fact public
meetings.
Our local government should be a government of the people, by the
people, and for the people. Unfortunately, it seems that this
council is heading more towards government of the council, by the
council, and for the council.
Chris Nicoll
Pueblo Citizens for Open Government
http://www.pueblofreespeech.org
The Brunch After T-Day
One idea for dealing with the leftovers.
We usually do a fairly big turkey in this household for Thanksgiving. It’s usually the only time of year I do such a bird. It’s something ‘special’ and I’d rather not diminish the ritual and ceremony by preparing it other times.
So…we have leftovers. And the leftovers are enjoyed for a while and much is bundled off for later use in turkey pot pies; yummy food for over the course of the winter.
However, over this last year I found some turkey from two years ago buried in the back of the freezer and I was wondering what to do with it. And, in an odd ‘coincidence’, I also stumbled on to a recipe for turkey hash.
Now…I’m a BIG fan of roast beef and corned beef hash with breakfast. A big dollop of that on a plate, covered with a fried egg. A dash of Tabasco and it’s a great day in the morning. So being the curious sort, I decided to try turkey instead of beef. It was SUPERB. Especially with the honey-mustard sauce recommended with the recipe.
So….if you’ve got leftover turkey this morning, I recommend you take some of it and put it together in a skillet with diced potato and diced onion. Along with some olive oil. Then fry it up.
In a separate saucier, mix .25 cups honey, 2 tablespoons dijon-style mustard, 1 dash of steak sauce. Bring up to heat. Then remove and allow to cool. When it is at room temp, mix in two tablespoons of mayonnaise; to give it a creamy consistency and brighten the taste.
Bon Appetite!
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Cooking Spices & Herbs HEADS UP!
Saving money with greater value.
Recently revisited the local chain grocer.
Checked out pricing on bottled herbs.
Herbs de Provence, at the chain, goes for about $7 for less than an ounce.
Compare THAT with THIS.
Not only do they cost less…BUT…the quality is SUPERIOR!
Seriously….
....who, in their ‘right’ mind, would pass up better quality for less money?
Thanksgiving Casa Pelto Pueblo 2007
Miscellaneous thoughts on the holiday as I’m preparing the feast.
Sitting here at the kitchen counter, listening to great music [I Will Be There], while the guest of ‘honor’ has been thrust into the oven and all the sides are prepared for cooking, diddling on the laptop….I’m reviewing what’s in the Pueblo Chieftain and I was struck by a juxtaposition of todays editorial and other thinks that had come to mind over the last few days. [Ed. Note: Thank God for the internet and the [current] ability to see so much in so little time….without the filtering of the so-called ‘Major Media’.]
I am struck by the idea that the Chieftain thinks it is important to remark on the words of US Supreme Court Associate Justice Joseph Story. Especially his words to the young of this country….
Let the American youth never forget that they possess a noble inheritance bought by the toils, and sufferings, and blood of their ancestors; and capacity, if wisely improved, and faithfully guarded, of transmitting to ... posterity all the substantial blessings of life, and the peaceful enjoyment of liberty, property, religion, and independence.
What’s going on?
Is the vaunted American Public Education system failing to teach this message?
I wonder…..if I were to ask some high school student, in a man-on-the-street approach, something about Justice Story’s remark….what would I hear in reply?
Get this. I am a judge of Colorado high school debate. I specialize in Cross-Examination, Lincoln-Douglas, Public Forum and One-on-One Value debates.
Admittedly, I’m very much impressed with the skills, thought processes and command of the English language of many of the contestants I judge in a round at an event. However, I have this niggling concern that these few that participate in high school forensics are a few ‘rare birds’, indeed. A problematic ‘minority’....in more ways than one.
The BIG problem, as my concerns point, is not that we are not raising up successors with the mental discernment that I and my contemporaries and peers enjoy today. I am certain that many I’ve heard over the last few years will surpass me. Seriously. I’ve heard some stunners just a couple of weeks ago. And I’m gladdened with the thought.
However, I have serious concerns that not ENOUGH young, future-voting citizens are as well instructed. [Note: The process has been referred to, over the last two decades, as the dumbing-down of America.]
Half of the time I sit in on the Pueblo 2010 Commission, I hear ‘concerns’ about how Colorado State University-Pueblo (CSU-P) has problems retaining students. They seem to drop out rather early and never complete higher education.
Ever time I’ve heard that, I’ve looked at the respresentative from Pueblo School District 60….if they are in attendance.
I get the distinct impression that most people think it is the fault of CSU-P that these aspiring young adults fail. I see it as a totally different problem…..something in the realm of K-12, i.e,. District 60.
And this Chieftain article makes me want to ask the D60 rep, “What is taught in civics, these days?” With follow-on questions about Math, English, Life Sciences, Hard Sciences, Art, Theater, etc., etc., etc…..?
TO: Kitty Kennedy
RE: Next Time….
....I hear comments at 2010 Commission about CSU-P and drop-outs….‘Be Prepared’. [Note: Yeah….I know….It’s a Boy Scout, i.e., guy, think. But still and all…..]
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
OHNO Bylaws
The Lost Copy
Seems that when we changed over from one blog hosting service provider to another, an old post got lost. The one with the OHNO bylaws.
Therefore, HERE they are.
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Try THIS This Thanksgiving — 071118
A GREAT hot punch for the holidays.
Something I came across YEARS ago and has become a holiday season tradition in this household….
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Try THIS This Weekend — 071117
Along with the Oriental barbecued meat….
One of my favorite restaurants in Denver, Thai Hiep, serves a dish of the barbecued pork on a bed of rice noodles.
As a side, they offer what amounts to Vietnamese Eggrolls. Not the famous Spring Rolls, but regular eggrolls served in a different manner….
Friday, November 16, 2007
HPI Minutes — 071107
Minutes of Historic Pueblo, Inc., meeting of 7 November 2007.
What transpired….
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Pueblo Neighborhood Partnership Bylaws — 071106
First cut on the proposed bylaws for the organization.
We’ve felt there was a need to formalize our organization by getting it recognized as a non-profit corporation by the Colorado Secretary of State.
In order to do that, we need two things (1) Articles of Incorporation and (2) bylaws to govern the organization’s activities.
The PDF document you can access HERE is a first draft of bylaws. It is based on a neighborhood association’s bylaws. It is a PDF document that can be opened and marked-up with Adobe Reader. Just use the Commenting and Highlighting tools. If you do not have Adobe Reader, you can get it HERE....for free.
If you do mark it up and offer suggestions on how to improve it, please e-mail it back to me so I can include your comments and suggestions in the development process. Just click on my name (below) to send me an e-mail with your marked-up copy as an attachment.
Monday, November 12, 2007
HPI Mansion Tour 2007
A grand party in a grand old house.
See details….
Try THIS This Weekend — 071112
What you can do with the Tsuekeyaki sauce….
....provided yesterday.
This sauce goes great in making oriental-style barbecue; chicken or pork especially.
Here’s one approach….
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Try THIS Next Weekend — 071111
Tasty suggestions for a weekend of culinary pleasure.
I’m going to start doing this sort of thing every week or so, as a way to bring fine food and beverage to Pueblo.
This offering is a discovery about Asian cooking. You’ve heard of teriyaki sauce. Used on such delicious dishes as teriyaki chicken, Japanese barbecued chicken, a.k.a. yakatori.
I’ve figured out how to do a variation on teriyaki sauce, known as tsuekeyaki sauce. It is more flavorful as it has honey and lemon in it.
Here’s how you make it…..