Another Tuesday evening passes with no Kissimmee Commission meeting, and we had to wonder is there any difference between an evening with no meeting and one with a full meeting. Would the city grind to a halt as some believe, or would the lack of commissioners even be noticed. Besides the obvious cost savings for the city by not having to refill the commission snack trays, and the fact that no new fees can be assessed to the citizens when there is no meeting for them to be conjured up at, we had very few thoughts on the benefits of the traditional meeting structure. This brought us to talk about an old Zen proverb, "What is that Sound of One Hand Clapping?" We wondered if this proverb could apply to our local commission.
First we had to address what the two hands would consist of to make this proverb make sense in our context. We concluded that one hand was the commission and the other hand was staff. When they work together, or clap as the case may be, a sound is produced. In essence, if the commission and staff come together, things get done. So the next step is to determine if one of either the staff, or the commission, is not present, is there still a clap, or in this case, do things still get done?
The simple logic to follow is that if there is no agenda, can the commission function? What would the commission do if there was no back-up and no agenda in which to follow? Could they function? Would they panic without staff recommendations? And since staff are the ones who create the agenda and the back up for the commissioners, does the agenda mean anything if there is no one there to vote on the items it contains, or at least give direction?
These questions actually lead us into other proverbs such as "Which came first the commission or the agenda?", "Don't put all you commission snacks in one basket," and our personal favorite "Is an agenda that nobody reads still and agenda?"
These thoughts are well beyond the insight of the staff at WayneWho. The debate did lead to someone ordering pizza, so we were still pleased with the outcome of the discussions and pushed forward with writing down our thoughts. We leave finding the true answers to you.
First we had to address what the two hands would consist of to make this proverb make sense in our context. We concluded that one hand was the commission and the other hand was staff. When they work together, or clap as the case may be, a sound is produced. In essence, if the commission and staff come together, things get done. So the next step is to determine if one of either the staff, or the commission, is not present, is there still a clap, or in this case, do things still get done?
The simple logic to follow is that if there is no agenda, can the commission function? What would the commission do if there was no back-up and no agenda in which to follow? Could they function? Would they panic without staff recommendations? And since staff are the ones who create the agenda and the back up for the commissioners, does the agenda mean anything if there is no one there to vote on the items it contains, or at least give direction?
These questions actually lead us into other proverbs such as "Which came first the commission or the agenda?", "Don't put all you commission snacks in one basket," and our personal favorite "Is an agenda that nobody reads still and agenda?"
These thoughts are well beyond the insight of the staff at WayneWho. The debate did lead to someone ordering pizza, so we were still pleased with the outcome of the discussions and pushed forward with writing down our thoughts. We leave finding the true answers to you.
9 comments:
Mmmmm... Pizza...
A candidate is someone who gets money from the rich and votes from the poor to protect them from each other.
When the commissions's away, the staff will play.
How about combining quotes from famous people, along with proverbs that relate to it. Such as a quote from Mark Twain, "Hain't we got all the fools in town on our side? And hain't that a big enough majority in any town?". Now combine that with the old English proverb: A fool and his money are soon parted. That pretty much sums it up.
One who builds a fountain, spends like a fountain.
:)
So I assume that means that votes are fools and are soon parted with their money?
If you build it (fountain), they will come (bathers).
What do you expect from a City Commisioner who knows nothing other than raising TAXES and building FOUNTAINS! I often wondered, if it was her own personal money would Van (shipley) Meter spend it that way? Now she just doesn't want to ruin a city, but the whole County. Is that why she's running or should I say ruining for County Commission. She is the poorest excuse that I have ever seen for a politician.
Sorry for the harsh statement but it's true!
Why pick on Van Meter? Wendell will beat her in the primary and we don't have to worry about her any more.
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