I abhor politics.

I hate the whole beast because what began as a way for citizens (and residents) to have representation at a law- and policy-making level has become its own sort of exclusive environment. This happens on a national level, the state and, rest assured, right in our own backyards.

In particular and most recently, the Park city councils has been accused of being in violation of the Open Meetings Act. In the Shores, there has been an on-going disagreement about televising all public meetings rather than just formal council meetings. It was even suggested that officials have to watch what they say in the presence of the public, and televising finance committee meetings for example would only further that carefulness.

This is absurd that in our own communities, we have elected officials who actually think they should be allowed to conduct "business" beyond the earshot and sight of the residents who are being represented.

A few weeks ago, a resident and an attorney--both from Grosse Pointe Park--confronted that council for keeping them out of meetings that should have been open, and also for not making them feel welcome (providing only two chairs for "the public" to use). Councilperson Laurie Arora apologized to the residents, which is a great start.

The Shores has other issues. Yes, the Council--often grudgingly--televises its meetings. But they, too, have voiced opinions against public involvement emphasizing all Open Meetings Act laws are followed. Yet, similar to the Park, the man who heads up their Board of Review bragged during a recent council meeting about how he kicked an attendee out and how he believes the review should be conducted privately.

Earlier this year in the Woods, many residents questioned how decisions were made by that council regarding neon signs after eight very scripted denials were handed down without discussion by most of the council. Residents accused the officials of making their decision prior to the hearings and holding them only to adhere to the legal rules. It angered residents to the point they banned together and with a grassroots effort, won back their neon signs by gathering registered voters signatures.

Private meetings for a public office?

Who are these people and do they actually realize what they are saying? Does it need to be stated that, as a public official you are a public servant, elected to speak FOR the people, not despite them. You are elected because we trust your judgement and respect your ability to exact changes that need to be made in our best interests.

Any elected official should be clamoring to offer residents even more visibility into what they are doing. That is, if they are proud of what their work. If Council members don't like having to censor themselves while engaging in spirited conversations with each other, the solution isn't to kick out the public. Instead, clean up your act. Treat each other respectfully and you will have a City Council of which to be proud.

Let's make the Pointes an example for other communities. Let's show them that our elected officials truly are representatives of the public -- listening to them and facilitating the change they want, of course, within reason and budget. Please City Council  members, remember who you are and why you are there. You have been entrusted with your constituents' best interests, not your own.

Now let's all start behaving like adults, shall we? If that happens, I may even start to like politics.