Here is an email I sent to the City and the media today:
Hello,
Does the City have some compelling or legitimate reason for refusing to answer questions?
What is the estimated cost of the needed repairs on the section of the Barr Trail that we acquired in the land swap?
Jill Gaebler said during the last City Council meeting that the city moved forward with the restriping of roads in Old North End because the majority of people at the meetings supported it. Does the city have factual data to support her claim?
Is the District Attorney displeased with the public process that was conducted for the restriping?
I have learned that an Incline Management Oversight Committee does actually exist, and that it meets once a month now. When are its meetings, where are they held, and how does one view the agenda for the meetings?
The ordinance to take a half a million out of the general fund to help increase the number of low barrier shelter beds is on the agenda for next Tuesday. Is it legal to pass that ordinance? What has the City Attorney's office told members of Council? Did the city inform the public sufficiently as to what this will do?
Is there a problem with the variance in the Fire Code that the City applied to the Summit House?
Did the Mayor mock me when he used the phrase "Crown of America's Mountain" in his speech at the ground breaking ceremony for the summit house?
Has the City omitted facts about the long term stability of the Manitou Incline in its grant applications?
Did the City obtain all necessary permits for the work done on the Incline last year?
Did the City defame the character of some citizens who panhandle, and have some panhandlers been harmed by the signs that say "Handouts don't help"?
What data did the City use to back up the claims made that the money given to panhandlers is wasted, or used in harmful ways? Citizens have a right to give money to whom ever they choose for any reason, and to feel good about it, has the City infringed on that right?
Surely the City has answers to at least some of these questions. The public has a right to oversight on these issues.
Thank you, Carl Strow