“Will Somebody Shut Him Up??”

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These are all but one of the times I’ve spoken at the Visalia City Council, during Public Comments. My first time isn’t on their website, and was in 2012, when I accepted the first June Pride Month Proclamation issued by the City of Visalia. It was the first Pride Month Proclamation by a government body in the Southern San Joaquin Valley.

I got bored, so I counted the times I appeared before the City Council, according to the minutes. As of this writing, I’m at 58 times.

There are fewer than 58 entries above, because I spoke several times at several meetings. One time I had so much to say about things that I spoke five times! Another day it was four. It’s usually just once per meeting.

I still get nervous, sometimes, but I probably enjoy it more than I should.

Lest you think I’m hogging all the time, there’s a lady that has spoken over 85 times in the same time frame. I don’t know if she enjoys it or not.

If you would like to let them know what you think about things, here’s the 4-1-1:

PUBLIC COMMENTS  

This is the time for general public comment on issues within the jurisdiction of the Visalia City Council. Each speaker tonight may speak for up to 3 minutes during this general comment period on a matter that is not on this agenda. The public may also make one comment for up to 3 minutes prior to the consideration of the Consent Calendar, and immediately before any regular agenda item is heard. The Council asks that you keep you comments concise and positive. Creative criticism, presented with appropriate courtesy, is welcome. Each speaker will be allowed three minutes and a timer will notify you when your time is expired. Please begin your comments by stating and spelling your name and providing your city of residence.

There are general public comments at the beginning of each session (work session and regular session), before the Consent Calendar, and after each item on the regular agenda, regarding that item.

Come join us at the meetings, on the first and third Mondays of each month (except on holidays, when they generally meet Tuesday). The regular session starts at 7pm, at City Hall, 707 W. Acequia. Work sessions start anywhere between 4pm and 5:30pm. Check the agenda for exact times.

Resolution of Recognition by City of Visalia

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group_06_02_14Members of the LGBT and straight ally community were on hand for the 3rd presentation to recognize Pride Month in the City of Visalia, California.  Accepting for the entire community, Dr. Steve Palmer and Joan Palmer, co-presidents of Tulare-Kings PFLAG.

Text of the Resolution

City of Visalia Resolution 6-2-14
Resolution of Recognition of local Activities held in honor of LGBT Month

Whereas, Visalia has a diverse Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) communityy which includes individuals from all walks of life; and

whereas, the Visalia Pride Lions Club is holding a recognition dinner this month where they are presenting the second annual “HEART OF A LION” award; and

Whereas, scholarships will be presented this month to LGBT students, and to students who have LGBT family members; and

Whereas, LGBT month will also be celebrated with a fund raising dance to raise money to support future scholarships for LGBT students and their families.

Now, therefore, the City Council of the City of Visalia recognizes all the organizations that are supporting the local activities in honor of LGBT month including PFLAG of Tulare and Kings Counties, COS Pride, Gay-Straight Alliance at Visalia schools and the Pride Lion’s Club of Visalia; and

Furthermore, wishes these organizations every success with their local support endeavors honoring LGBT month.

June 2,2014

Steven Nelsen, Mayor
E. Warren Gubler, Vice-Mayor
Greg Collins, Councilmember
Bob Link, Councilmember
Amy Shuklian, Councilmember