Editor: I tuned in to Monday night’s council meeting only to find several members with their cameras turned off, in addition to one member parenting while working. I find both of these unacceptable. Members of City Council are paid to do a job, hiding behind a turned off camera or parenting are not part of why they were elected.
Being a parent is indeed the most important job of anyone’s life, however the council members who have children find resources to caretake for their children during City Council meetings.
A turned off camera, (for any reason) shows the citizens of Aurora that they are not worthy of your time, attention and presence. Teachers are required to have their cameras on during every virtual lesson so parents, staff and students can hold them accountable and know they are available. It should not be any different for city council members.
Again, these situations are both totally unacceptable. Please respect those who voted for you and be 100% present, which should include being at the meetings in person.
—Jill Cullis, via letters@sentinelcolorado.com
People need to realize that keeping children off screen during meetings can be vital to that childs safety. I have absolutely no problem with the camera being off during city council meetings. The real problem is when some city council members call members of the public devil worshipping sadists and the news says absolutely nothing about it.
I might agree but for the fact that Council is a full-time job but with a very paltry part-time salary.
I worry about the mental health of our CMs on both sides–trying to a very difficult job while also raising young children. How this kind of petty criticism adds value is beyond me.
I agree with this person. So the job is PT, so the job does not pay that much. Who cares. That is not the issue here. The issue is that we elected these people to make important decisions about our city. They chose to take the position, PT, low pay, warts and all. If the other council members can show up, dress, figure out what to do with their kids, then so can this council member. It lacked professionalism. The other council member(s) with their cameras off, same thing. It makes them look like they are “checked out.” A lot of people have virtual jobs now, I have one too. The requirement for all my meetings is to have my camera on. If the rest of the virtual workers can comply, then so can the council members.