Having attended most of the pre-council meetings since the current administration took office, I feel obligated to comment on the government process, particularly the last three pre-council meetings.

As most people know, these are the working sessions that culminate in the agenda for the following week's council meeting and, while the public is welcome to attend, they may not comment unless requested to do so.

The past three meetings have been informative both in the scope of issues facing the city and the pragmatic and thoughtful manner in which the council is addressing them. These range from mundane issues such as parking regulations to maintaining our physical infrastructures as well as future planning and development of the growth of our city, all the while striving to maintain fiscal responsibility and chip away at the budget deficit without bringing the city to a halt. A daunting task, to say the least. I've observed plenty of back-and-forth discussion, with hard questions being asked, and asked again if not satisfied with the answers, both of fellow councilors and any outside persons or entities making presentations to the council.

For those that criticize the administration, both at council meetings and in the press, and those that just would like some enlightenment regarding the governing of this city, you couldn't do better than making an effort to attend pre-council meetings. Some of you may be surprised, but you'll all be impressed.

Lindsay Anderson