Committee Wordsmiths Communications Policy

The First Amendment rights of press and speech were the themes of today's Communications Committee meeting. That theme was loudly heard from Mayor Leeser and Dr. Bonart and most particularly from the conscience of El Paso, Lisa Turner. David Crowder, a reporter for the El Paso Inc., also spoke out about the nuances of speech and press. The meeting did not go well for Chairman Shoephoerster who turned beet red and got darker and darker as Lisa Turner spoke eloquently about the first amendment. Bob Andron was remarkably silent and seemed to fumble about when asked for opinions. 

3 critical changes were made to the document: first, rather than saying members shall direct questions to PSB/EPWU officials, it was agreed to say that they are encouraged to direct inquiries to the CEO, Chairman of the Board and/or VP of Communications and Marketing. Second, Bonart's sentence that members, as representatives of the public, the utility and the ratepayers, have every right to express opinions was added. Third, another sentence (at Bonart's suggestion) makes clear that at all meetings members of the public shall be allowed to speak to any agenda item. 

Shoephoerster failed to allow a vote on one motion that had a second. Mayor Leeser thought that the policy should just be torn up. Dr. Bonart seconded. The Chairman said that they were there to wordsmith - I guess wordsmithing doesn't mean just saying nothing.

The fact is that Shoephoerster had a bad day. At the tail end of the meeting a gentleman formerly a member of the City Plan Commission spoke that only the Chairman of the Board could speak after a vote and, after a vote, everyone just shuts up and board members are different from elected officials - a matter already impeached earlier in the meeting. Of course, after he spoke, Chairman Shoephoerster said that he couldn't agree more. Also earlier the Chair said that City Council members giving public meetings was self-serving to get re-elected. One is reminded of his earlier wisdom that a vacant lot with a paved parking lot is a natural arroyo. I think it is time for us to publish "The Sayings of Chairman S". They are so rich.

I'll have more to say about this matter in the next post or two especially about the eloquent words of Ms. Turner. Keep in mind that the matter of a policy is not over. I suspect that Shoephoerster will try to rally the more reactionary members of the PSB to change the document yet again at the next PSB meeting. I would prefer that the PSB just tear up the document and let it go. At this point, it may be better to go ahead with the communications policy thus drafted today. At least it makes it clear that there is a First Amendment, board members do have a duty to the citizens of El Paso, and public interaction is desireable.