New Castle County citizens are currently unable view public deliberations and decision-making unless they physically attend the Tuesday afternoon meetings on the 8th floor of the City/County Building, in Wilmington.

In reality, most of the important debate takes place at public afternoon meetings when many residents are generally unavailable to attend. Given demands on our time, most of us are also unable to attend the Tuesday evening general meeting in Council chambers.

When land use decisions are made, if you had the opportunity to view both the presentation of evidence and the sheer lack of logical deliberation by the decision-makers, you could decide for yourself if there are undue influences at work.

Decisions how our tax money is spent go unwitnessed every Tuesday, when your county government is in session. Indeed, you would be surprised to learn whose personal political allies or family members get appointed to various boards, whose decisions also impact our lives on a daily basis.

Elected officials could be held more accountable if their decision-making was always being scrutinized by the watchful eyes of the citizens by whom these public servants are employed

Posting a video link next to the existing audio link on the county's website is easy and inexpensive. Live broadcasts and on demand viewing should be available.

In fact, the New Castle County Council chambers already has the video equipment installed for Wilmington City Council meetings which are held in the very same chambers on Thursday evenings.

The public has a right to both observe and determine if their elected officials are maintaining the highest standards of ethical behavior and fiscal prudence.  It is now economically and practically feasible to broadcast County Council proceedings at a nominal cost due to advancements in modern technology. Video access would strengthen the public’s awareness and engagement in local decision-making; thus promoting our county government’s transparency, efficiency, effectiveness and  fiscal prudence.

Related Links:

• 3/12/2014 -Bob Weiner on Rick Jensen Show, WDEL
• Arguments For and Against Videotaping County Council Meetings
  Audio from 2/11/2014 New Castle County Council Executive Committee Meeting. Councilman Bob Weiner addresses objections from fellow councilmembers regarding the videotaping of public Council meetings.

The below videos were produced and paid for by Friends of Bob Weiner. Hopefully the rest of Council will support videorecording of all future meetings to be posted on the County's website.

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