My Email to the Watsonville City Council

, and I've emailed my concerns. I'd like to share it here in case anyone would like to get involved and add their name (please feel free to cut, paste, or plagiarize any part of this letter). The most important thing is to make your voice heard.

"I am writing to voice my opposition to Mr. Palacios' recommendation to approve an Ordinance to amend and update provisions of Section 2-1.101 of the Municipal Code regarding the regular meeting time of the City Council. The entire City Council should be encouraging public attendance at council meetings and that requires that meetings be held at times that are reasonably convenient for most city residents. Normal work hours for the majority of the public are 8-5 or 9-6, I personally know no one who can make it to a 5:30pm meeting. Changing the meeting times makes it appear that an already unpopular and distrusted Watsonville City Council is trying yet again to silence the voices of city residents. You may not want to hear what the community has to say but you were elected to listen, and whether you agree or not, the people have a right to have their opinions and concerns heard in person. You were elected by city residents to keep the lines of communication open and transparent. Perhaps one way to assure that meetings end by a decent hour is to limit the chatter by City Council members themselves.   Please put the needs of the community first, keep the meeting times consistent and as they are. Thank you for your time."

Cathy Perez

Resident, District 6