6-21-2006 West End Word

Letter to the editor of West End Word: Merger committee needs to listen, not talk

Posted Wednesday, June 21, 2006

To the editor:

The June 7-13 West End Word spoke of the dilemma the Clayton Richmond Heights Joint Study Committee was experiencing regarding collecting public input. There is no dilemma. The real issue is not when and how to solicit opinion; rather, the Joint Study Committee cannot fairly represent the people in its merger decision until it understands the citizens’ concerns. The merger is the single most important issue these two cities have faced, and yet neither the cities nor the JSC has yet to solicit the citizens’ feelings.

Some JSC members believe it is premature to go to the public because they haven’t concluded the study and won’t be able to answer questions. The JSC does not need to speak. They don’t need to answer citizen questions. They need to listen.

The JSC spoke of conducting a survey. Will citizen issues be uncovered in a closed survey where citizens are requested to respond to specific questions or rank predetermined issues rather than stating their opinions? Even if such survey contains a comments section, many citizens are non-writers or experience difficulty distilling their thoughts in writing. The JSC needs to afford ample and straightforward opportunity for citizens to voice their concerns and feelings in an open forum.

Clayton and Richmond Heights citizens are urged to attend JSC meetings to request the JSC to host public forums with open microphones. The next meeting is at 7 p.m. June 28, at the Center of Clayton, 50 Gay Ave. Check http://www.mergerstudy.org/ for schedules.

Andy Rochman,
Clayton