Hey – just how hard is it to be a city councilor anyway?

In case you were unsure, or if you are a former state representative and have trouble understanding big words, I’ll lay out some friendly, helpful, easy-to-follow tips. Due to a previous career I spent a lot of time observing city councils; most of them are pretty good, but I guess we got some gapers and JONGs on board who need a gentle nudge now and again.

1. Show up at the meetings. (They are only once a week, so this one was a gimme.)
2. If the meeting references a previous board meeting, take a few minutes to read the minutes from that meeting. Take note, for example, if a member of another board stands up at that meeting and says, to no one in particular, “I have no idea why we are even discussing this.”
4. Before voting on an issue such as, say, the legality of accessory dwelling units, ask yourself, “Is it a possible conflict-of-interest for me to cast a vote on this issue since I live in an illegal accessory dwelling unit?”
5. During the public comment portion of the meeting, try to listen to at least half of what people say. Don’t listen to all of it, because frankly half of what most people say is bullshit, but if it starts to sound like person after person after person after person is telling you pursing this issue is not a good idea, that might be a clue for how people think.
6. Try and vote in a way that at least pays lip service to the idea of rational representative democracy.
7. Or, you know, do whatever. Nothing really matters anyway, I guess.

(Missoulian, Sunday May 12, 2013)