ObamaOdrama

According to QuincyNews.org, the Quincy City Council denied a written request to speak on a recently approved $31.2 million budget and water and sewer rate increases by a resident taxpayer.

When it came time to vote to open the floor to allow the speaker, a mixed voice vote took place. A roll call vote ensued and the seven Democrats denied McQueen’s opportunity to speak while six Republicans voted to allow him to speak.

Alderman Mike Rein (R-5th Ward) was absent.

Alderman Mike Farha (R-4th Ward) said he had never seen anyone denied the right to speak in his 10 years on the council and called the vote “outrageous.”

Farha spoke up after the vote, saying “We have never not allowed a member of the public to address this body.”

Alderman Steve Duesterhaus (D-2nd Ward) countered by saying “A point of order here. This is an incidental motion and is not subject to debate.” Mayor John Spring agreed and Farha finished with “I just want my objection noted for the record.”

Duesterhaus (D-2nd Ward) said there had been ample opportunity to comment on the budget and the water and sewer increases before last week’s votes had taken place.

Clearly the elected officials have more pressing matters than observing the Constitutional rights of its taxpaying citizens who follow all the necessary steps required to address the council in a public forum.

Tuesday night, the Senate passed a resolution making recent party hopper Arlen Specter the most junior Democrat on four of the five committeees on which he serves and serves him right.

In a statement Wednesday, Senator Specter said he wasn’t surprised that the issue of subcommittee chairmanships would not be decided until the 2010 election.

“Senator Reid assured me that I would keep my committee assignments and that I would have the same seniority as if I had been elected as a Democrat in 1980,” he said. But he added, confirming grumblings from within the Democratic caucus: “Some members of the caucus have raised concerns about my seniority, so the caucus will vote on my seniority at the same time subcommittee chairmanships are confirmed after the 2010 election.”

He also said, “I am confident my seniority will be maintained under the arrangement I worked out with Senator Reid.”

Enjoy your new party Arlen.