City of Cortland Strategic Planning Committee Misdirected

-----Original Message-----
From: Hugh Keegan [mailto:hkeegan@keeganinc.com]
Sent: Tuesday, May 17, 2011 11:55 AM
To: Susan Feiszli
Subject: Email


Hello Mayor Feiszli:

I read in the paper that the Strategic Planning Committee is somewhat on hold until further discussion and that people willing to participate should notify you and the Common Council.

I would like to continue to be involved however I have some thoughts.

1. I have not attended the last 4 or 5 meetings because I thought the
direction the committee was taking was not the original intent of the
Committee and I was un-willing to participate in that new direction.

That is the problem. Any further continuation of this committee (or any other ad hoc citizen committee for that matter), should have
clearly defined and very limited objectives and goals. I don't think this
committee ever had that.

2. Regarding those objectives for this one particular committee, it is my
opinion that the objectives should be to review the City's current financial
situation and make recommendations to the Mayor's Office and the Common
Council that would improve the City's financial situation. It would then be
the responsibility of the Mayor and the Common Council to take action on any
of the recommendations they deem necessary.


Regards,

Hugh Keegan

Editor's Note: The Strategic Planning Committee was tasked to find alternative solutions, including dissolution or consolidation, to address ongoing city fiscal problems. The committee was initially chaired by Alderman Dan Quail. In 2011 Alderman Brian Tobin assumed chairmanship of the committee. The ad hoc committee was never legally established by resolution of city council.