Unanimity is for autocrats, lemmings

Dear Editor,

I do not trust unanimity.  It seems to me that, usually, the only way to achieve it is when faced with dire need and/or only one option, or when in conversation with one’s self.  And yet...

 Recently, council was presented with an update on the animal shelter.  Councilors expressed a variety of concerns, some fairly serious, and engaged in lively debate.  Then they voted unanimously to proceed.

 Seems to be the pattern.  When considering the fate of the Municipal Building, councilors made statements which were very strong arguments for keeping/restoring/rebuilding the thing.  They then voted unanimously to flatten it.

 It is a very weird thing to observe.  You have to wonder how, actually, decisions are made, who is making them, and what role, if any, the “public comment” portion of the decision making process plays. 

Seems that most decisions are made informally amongst councilors and staff as they discuss/debate a given proposal well away from the public view.  Formal council meetings are little more than a rubber stamp session with “public comment” an exercise in futility. 

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