Roberts Rules

Editor,
“... the tyranny of the majority ...”

Oh my. If the councilman who authored this remark was educated in California then he was exposed to at least one, and probably two, classes on government or civics during his 12 years of school. This is just the way a democracy works. If one always finds oneself in the minority then perhaps self-examination is needed. Granted, consensus building is an art but it can be learned. Our recently elected mayor is known to be skilled in that art. Maybe a little mentoring could help? Or maybe a book such as “Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreements Without Giving In”, by Fisher, Ury and Patton would help?

I am also puzzled by the inordinate amount of time our City Council has spent discussing Roberts Rules of Order. As any club woman, homeowners association member, student body member, or any organization member knows, Robert Rules is intended to provide a civil, impartial, and systematic method for presentation of items to a decision-making body. The rule requiring a motion be made and seconded before discussion is neither sinister nor designed to stifle discussion. It simply states that for an item to be before a governing body for consideration it must be (a) offered as a motion by a member and (b) seconded by another member. After this two-step process the item is open for discussion, questions, fact finding, opinions, and decision making or tabling.

Not so complicated is it?

Kathleen A. Kauffroath
Porterville