NEIGHBORHOOD PREVIEW SOUGHT FOR NEW LAWS : WEBB WANTS CITY PROPOSALS AIRED.Byline: Terry Kanakri Daily News Staff Writer City Councilwoman Sandi SANDi Sound Advantage Natural Dialog Interface Webb believes that residents have too little time to review proposed new city laws or changes in the municipal ordinances. Webb wants to open up the process and is proposing that neighborhood councils Neighborhood councils are governmental or non-governmental bodies composed of local people who handle neighborhood problems. They can be found in many cities throughout the world. be notified of any change to existing city laws or proposals for new ordinances. ``Those who are governed gov·ern v. gov·erned, gov·ern·ing, gov·erns v.tr. 1. To make and administer the public policy and affairs of; exercise sovereign authority in. 2. have a right to see the laws that are being proposed (for) them, before those laws are considered and passed, and (to) have a chance to give their input,'' she said. ``Under today's system, they don't have that opportunity, really. They have to be absolute watchdogs and keep an eye on the City Council agenda at all times.'' City Attorney John Torrance said that with few exceptions, as for a zoning-change ordinance A law, statute, or regulation enacted by a Municipal Corporation. An ordinance is a law passed by a municipal government. A municipality, such as a city, town, village, or borough, is a political subdivision of a state within which a municipal corporation has been , the city need not hold formal public hearings. The public usually gets a first look at the language of a proposed ordinance on a Friday, and the City Council votes the next Monday. Carl Knoll, vice chairman of Neighborhood Council No. 1, said he supports Webb's proposal 100 percent. ``I think it's wonderful idea,'' he said. ``It would be beneficial because it would in fact give the citizens of our community a voice.'' Knoll said citizens speak most effectively to the City Council after being given time to read a proposal, gather information and discuss the issues among themselves. Webb said she was convinced that the current process was inadequate by the City Council's quick approval last week of an ordinance to toughen a curfew curfew [O.Fr.,=cover fire], originally a signal, such as the ringing of a bell, to damp the fire, extinguish all lights in the dwelling, and retire for the night. The custom originated as a precaution against fires and was common throughout Europe in the Middle Ages. - between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. - and fine parents of offending of·fend v. of·fend·ed, of·fend·ing, of·fends v.tr. 1. To cause displeasure, anger, resentment, or wounded feelings in. 2. children. ``It just absolutely shocked me as to how fast it was done,'' she said. Webb opposed the ordinance, which she calls too restrictive, but denies sour grapes Grapes - A Modula-like system description language. E-mail: <peter@cadlab.cadlab.de>. ["GRAPES Language Description. Syntax, Semantics and Grammar of GRAPES-86", Siemens Nixdorf Inform, Berlin 1991, ISBN 3-8009-4112-0]. motivated mo·ti·vate tr.v. mo·ti·vat·ed, mo·ti·vat·ing, mo·ti·vates To provide with an incentive; move to action; impel. mo her proposal to change the ordinance adoption process. ``I take passing a new law or even changing an existing law very seriously, and I think the people who are going to be affected by this law have the right to be notified and have a chance to see what (is proposed) . . . and (to) have input into the process,'' she explained. ``I don't feel their rights are adequately addressed with the present system.'' Webb, who said she will ask for her proposal to be put on an agenda for consideration by the full City Council, predicted Neighborhood Council reviews would make residents better informed and promote sound city decisions. ``It should go to the neighborhood councils, which are a very good tool in our town to reach the population,'' she said. ``It just seems to be the minimum that should be done.'' |
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