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Note to Telecom Board members/TTIP

FYI -- from Times January 31.

This idea could be a great way for Elkins to test the broadband "waters", starting in the shallow end and moving into other electronic media as they get a handle on the legal and policy issues. As far as we know, the Telecom Board has never fully explored the options for Fayetteville.

The concepts outlined by Mr. Martens could be a prototype for a County- or NWA-wide ring of listservs dedicated to local governments, if the policy and procedures could be worked out. Of course, the much more limited computer/internet audience will be a long time growing to replace our PEG type video shows, in terms of total reach to public and for program content accountability, even with web streaming and on-demand delivery.

However, a combination of this approach with a PEG system and ties to the educational system would be an incredibly rich example of participatory government. I'm looking forward to the Elkins discussions, which may begin on Thursday night (Feb. 3). Mr. Martens is the one alderman who has stood up to Cox bullying ,so far.

Virtual voice: Elkins alderman initiating Web-based discussion forum BY KIRK KRAMER Northwest Arkansas Times

Posted on Monday, January 31, 2005

URL: http://www.nwanews.com/story/nwat/24920

Elkins Alderman Tim Martens has proposed establishing an Internet forum accessible to the press and public where city officials would have more opportunities to discuss issues facing the city than the council’s biweekly meetings give them.

The state’s Freedom of Information Act includes an open meeting law whose provisions regulate even informal meetings of members of a city council. "Prior to our election, the city council candidates could freely communicate as individual citizens as we shared our thoughts and plans for a better Elkins," wrote Martens in a Jan. 7 e-mail to city officials and members of the press. "Now that we have been elected aldermen, the Open Meetings law applies to us. Government decisions must be made through public deliberations and not behind closed doors.

" The new City Council of Elkins is poised to set up an Internet Web site for the city. As part of that Web site, I would like to develop an electronic bulletin board or forum by which the City Council members could communicate with each other in full public view on the city’s Web site. Anyone with Internet access, including all [members of the] media, could monitor all exchanges. The city would also place a public access computer at City Hall. "

In an interview Sunday, Martens said communication among aldermen takes three forms.

One is purely social interactions.

" There’s no inhibition on that, except we can’t talk about items for which there would be a foreseeable vote, "said Martens.

The alderman said council members tend to steer away from such meetings so as to avoid even an appearance of violating FOI requirements.

A second form of communication is what Martens called" ministerial, "on purely administrative matters.

He noted that state law permits three members of a council to call for a special meeting.

" The statute cannot be construed so strictly as to prevent ministerial communication, for example about procedural issues such as calling a special meeting or other items of a strictly procedural and non-substantive nature. "

Getting down to brass tacks is the third kind of communication among members of the council.

" Substantive matters are really what this idea of an Internet forum is all about, to conduct substantive discussion in the public eye, "said Martens.

Who will be able to post to the online forum is a question that would have to be determined when and if officials act on Martens’ suggestion.

" It’s up to the council to decide if they want only elected officials [to contribute to the forum], or whether to open it up to public input, "he said." I welcome as much public participation as possible. "

The forum might need a moderator to oversee contributions.

" I don’t anticipate it would need one if it’s restricted only to comments by the mayor and council, "said Martens." If it’s open to comments from the public, I would imagine a moderator would be appropriate. The general public don’t have the same interest in maintaining a proper level of propriety. "

Martens said he contacted Mark Hayes, an attorney with the Arkansas Municipal League.

" He didn’t see any problem, as long as the local media didn’t. So far I haven’t met with any objections as long as there’s open access for everyone. "

Martens said he has received two positive responses about his idea from members of the press.

If the forum is approved, Elkins may be breaking new ground.

" As far as I know, this would be a pilot project, the first of its kind in Arkansas or maybe in the nation, "said Martens.

The rapid growth in Elkins ’ population means the city faces several pressing issues, according to Martens.

The town’s population was 300 in 1980. It doubled by 1990, and again by 2000. Martens estimates the population today at over 2,200.

And with new subdivisions expected since the lifting in October of a moratorium on new sewer taps, the number will continue to climb.

" By the end of 2005, it would not shock me if we had 3,500 people in Elkins, "said Martens." We have to get away from a population 300 mindset. "