We kept hearing the same theme, to listen to all and represent all of Meadville from the Vote for Meadville camp. Although, they seem to not want to include those who disagree with them, so if you want "transparency and inclusion", you likely won't get it from them. Unless of course, you want them to leave unsolicited flyers on your doors when they petition for your signatures and support...
Do they really mean that they will listen to all, and represent all of Meadville? No, not exactly.
As you recall, the claim is that local elites or the wealthy few, have all of the power in the City. At least that's the claim of VFM camp.
But, who are these "local elites"? Well, from their own page;
But also from the VFM page;
So, it's okay for them to bully or attack this group? But when FACTS of Kinder's wrongdoings are posted, they get upset. How can you state civility, when on your own page you have openly expressed your disgust with a particular group? Do you know the definition of civility?
Formal politeness and courtesy in behavior or speech.
We forgot, this campaign is about do as I say, not as I do!
For your information, we have yet to be able to find a specific case where this "local group" has been able to influence Council on any votes as they relate to "decisions that affect our community", aka the Cities budget, or investing in parks or the like. The only instance where a local group of "elites", as they call them, has shown up to give strong input was for a Covid-19 task force. Their reasoning was that those who were fighting to push this, the same ones who knocked on our doors, were doing so under the false premise of it being related to the pandemic. In fact, the actual reason for them trying to form a task force was for a housing inspection program. The letter they supported had nothing at all to do with the effects of Covid. As always, we have that proof for you.
From Meadville Council meeting on May 20, 2020.
But yet, later in the meeting, Lee's girlfriend Autumn, changed the taskforce to be about Covid-19.
Of course, if you question the connection between these two, you could always consult Facebook. (Or find their marriage license at record at the courthouse)
Autumn and Larry, upon this motion to form a task force being tabled, asked for the public to provide input on said taskforce.
The next meeting of which discussions would occur would be on June 3, 2020.
So then, City Council received the following letter regarding the formation of said taskforce. See something missing?
If you are missing the part where this is about Covid-19, you're on the right track. Makes you scratch your head just a little, right? We thought this was supposed to be about Covid? Why are they now changing it to housing?
Are we misunderstanding, or are you misrepresenting? A rose by any other name is still a rose. What's the story here?
McKnight continues on to state the following;
That's great and all, but the coalition's letter was for a housing taskforce, NOT a Covid-19 taskforce....
Let's be clear, if this was in fact just about Covid, other members of Council would have supported the movement.
So then, the vote.
In this instance, yes 100% the Council listened to those who showed up to the meeting and asked to speak. The basis of their disapproval for the taskforce stemmed from the misrepresentation of what the task force would in fact help with. What this taskforce would accomplish, that could not already be accomplished by another committee and/or agency already established within the City, was never outlined.
It seems as though this group is good at hiding true intentions, misrepresenting facts, and doesn't really want to hear from ALL individuals or groups, especially if those views disagree with theirs, and especially if they're landlords.
The same group that marched up and down our streets, are the same people who participated in this move to hide the facts of their true intended purpose. This has nothing to do with us at all, once again, they are always pushing the bigger narrative. These same people, in these same groups, are part of the larger group of PA United. If you haven't read up on this nightmare yet, go read the blog titled "Outside sources form political forces".
We're sure you recognize some of these folks from Common roots, Crawford County United, PA United, NAACP....
So, who really are the ones trying to influence the City government and have all of the power and voices? Why are they trying to silence a specific group?
Mind you, if you want to be part of their "group", you need to pay to do so.
What else are they hiding from us?
Aside from the failed attempt at hiding Jaime's past wrongdoings by not addressing it, or the attempt at hiding who is responsible for Marcy's campaign signs going missing. Because for the record, they did not condemn the action.
We do deserve better for Meadville, we deserve officials who answer when we ask questions, who don't try to silence any individuals or groups, who don't try to hide true intentions and who will have open discussions with business owners as well as individuals. If they represent the people, they should probably include all of them, not just the select groups and populations where they have control.
Oh, and for the record, local elites who pay taxes within the City are entitled to a voice. This actually goes for anyone who pays taxes within the City. Ever heard of taxation without representation?
The phrase taxation without representation describes a populace that is required to pay taxes to a government authority without having any say in that government's policies.
There are however, business owners who live outside of the City and pay taxes to the City, that cannot vote for who represents them in the City, because they do not reside within the City. Therefore, their only means to have their voice heard is to attend a Council meeting, and/or write to Council. How is this going with the VFM group having full control over Council? Are these individuals or groups being shut out?
Before they try to silence anyone, they should be careful they aren't stomping on the rights of those who pay taxes to the City.
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