Not only is the Richmond City Council too large by two to four members and largely dysfunctional, it makes a mockery of parliamentary procedure and common courtesy. Mayor Anderson is the worst. Every meeting, she piously says “I do,” after the Clerk reads the hypocritical “Councilmember”s Code of Conduct,” of which she was the primary proponent. Then she proceeds to run the meeting in a way that violates virtually every part of the Code.

The Code of Conduct is as follows:

“I solemnly pledge to conduct all City matters fairly, responsibly and impartially; to carry out the business of the City in an orderly and efficient manner; to treat my colleagues, citizens, and City staff with dignity and respect; through debate, discussion, and dialogue instill public confidence and integrity in the process of City government; and to serve the citizens of Richmond to the best of my ability.”

Mayor Anderson allows some councilmembers to wax on for ten to twenty minutes on their favorite topic, but when I want to speak, she is quick to shut me down, argue with me, interrupt me or facilitate a “call for the question” to force an end to debate before I have a chance to speak. I would get more speaking time if I signed up for Open Forum. She is certainly not treating this colleague with dignity and respect. And to make it worse, the other councilmembers let her get away with it.

As if shutting me down isn”t enough, she sends virtually every thing I agendize to a committee, often to the Finance Committee where I cannot participate. That is, if I can even get an item on the agenda.

I don”t know whether she simply cannot help it, or whether her actions are part of a larger conspiracy to isolate and discredit me. Either way, it doesn”t add much satisfaction to a job I try to work hard at. I try to represent the people of Richmond, but the Mayor makes it awfully difficult.