Council Recap: Public Engagement

On the agenda for the November 6, 2023, Richardson City Council meeting was this item: "REVIEW AND DISCUSS STRATEGIES TO PROMOTE PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT AND INVOLVEMENT." This is less than two months when they idea of a community engagement board was raised in the Council's goal-setting meeting, and less than a month since the Council first deliberated on this matter in open session (October 16). Then I was pleased to see the Council quickly tackle this need, but I was not as pleased with the scattershot ideas the Council had. Now I hoped that maybe this month they'd be focused and align on effective approaches.

Council Recap: Tactics

At the November 6, 2023, Richardson City Council meeting, the Council adopted its tactics for the 2023-2025 term. According to City Manager Don Magner, these were developed with direction from the City Council and inputs from Boards and Commissions, residents and businesses. But let's face it, they were essentially drawn up by Magner. They read like a (long) scorecard by which his performance will be able to be graded.

Let me say, up front, that I very much like the comprehensiveness of this list. It shows just how much is going on at City Hall. There's no comparison to the (relatively) meager list of tactics brainstormed by the City Council at its Saturday morning unrecorded meeting on September 16. But given that the City Council's list might indicate just what they think is important, let's compare it with what the City Manager presented Monday night.

Council Recap: Naming of Parks

At the November 6, 2023, Richardson City Council meeting, one agenda item struck me as curious. It was listed as "REVIEW, DISCUSS, AND UPDATE ON THE 2021 BOND PROGRAM PARKS CAPITAL PROJECTS AND PROPOSED NAMES." That 2021 bond included $7.5 million for parks. You'd think the Council would keep a close eye on how that money is being spent. Good governance. Keep your eye on the ball and all that. Well, you'd think wrong. Instead, in Monday's update, the seven councilmembers were easily distracted by the unimportant part of that agenda item, the "AND PROPOSED NAMES."

POTD: Auckland's SkyWalk

From 2023 03 07 Auckland

"High above the streets,
Sky Tower stands bold and proud.
Courage in the wind."

—h/t ChatGPT

Today's photo-of-the-day is from the Sky Tower in downtown Auckland, New Zealand. If you are not afraid of heights, you can take a SkyWalk and pose for a photo of a friend pushing you off (or an enemy — your choice). There is nothing below you but the street, 629 feet down.

A photo of the Sky Tower from the ground is after the jump.

POTD: Auckland Shopping Arcade

From 2023 03 07 Auckland

"Strand Arcade beckons,
Amidst the grandeur of old,
History preserved."
—h/t ChatGPT

Today's photo-of-the-day is from the Strand Arcade in Auckland, New Zealand. Dating to 1900 (rebuilt in 1910 after a fire), it's one of the grandest surviving shopping arcades in New Zealand. Being a Sunday, foot traffic was light.

A Man Called Otto (2022)

Rotten Tomatoes

A Man Called Otto (2022): English-language remake of the 2015 Swedish film "A Man Called Uve," this time with Tom Hanks. Local curmudgeon and how he became one. He eventually becomes, not likable, but a little less unlikable. B-

POTD: Practicing in the Park

From 2023 03 07 Auckland

"Albert Park's grand tree,
Witness to an athlete's dream,
Skill and nature meet."
—h/t ChatGPT

Today's photo-of-the-day is from Auckland, New Zealand. It shows an athlete practicing in Albert Park, a popular park in downtown Auckland near the University of Auckland. I was taken not only by her skill, but by the massive tree under whose shading branches she was practicing.

POTD: Sailing Auckland

From 2023 03 07 Auckland

"Beneath southern sun,
Auckland's charms unfurl and dance,
Bay's melody calls."
—h/t ChatGPT

Today's photo-of-the-day is from Auckland, New Zealand. It's situated on a bay in the isthmus of the North Island. No matter where you go, you are never more than a few minutes from the sea. Sailing is popular. Ferries travel here and there around the bay and to and from the many islands in the bay.

The Black Book (2023)

Rotten Tomatoes

The Black Book (2023): Nigeria. After his son is murdered by corrupt police, a deacon sets aside religious things to seek justice. Bodies pile up. Nameless bodies, not the lead characters. Not always clear who the sides are in this political thriller, but you can bet they are all bad. B-

Random Thoughts: The Evangelical Church is Breaking Apart

2023-10-04: Headline: "THE EVANGELICAL CHURCH IS BREAKING APART." In fact, the church has been breaking apart since Martin Luther. Or since 1054. Take your pick. It's like Jesus said, "For where two or three are gathered in my name, there will be a schism." (Matthew 18:20).