Mega Mega Meeting, Now on to the Next Hurdle

Whew.  Monday night was the longest Council meeting I have witnessed. Because of the new rules requiring people to complete speaker cards prior to the meeting, I arrived at 6 p.m. to help constituents I knew were coming to speak prepare. The meeting began at 6:30 p.m. and lasted until 11:30 p.m., without a break. Nearly a dozen people spoke during public comments, a public hearing was held and over 50 pieces of legislation were considered.   I expect the next meeting will be equally long, and low on romance although it will be  Valentine’s Day. 

Why so many bills?  Most of these bills were bids typically awarded on an annual basis. Last year, several of these were awarded prior to the swearing in of the current council.  Now that we have been in place for just over a year, the council has grown by leaps and bounds.  Despite the steep learning curve, this council has accomplished much in its first year.

When I was in high school, I ran track, hurdles, for one season. At this point in my term, it feels like we have just cleared the first hurdle.  We move toward additional hurdles, we work to stay focused on not only the next hurdle, but on completing the race.  Trust me, I am a much better legislator than hurdler (hence my one-season hurdle career). 

Once you clear the first hurdle, your confidence level raises, your energy surges and your focus becomes clearer. This is the moment the runners feel great, and I believe the council feels the same.

I would say more, but I'm on to the next hurdle.  Wish me luck.