I know of it as ” ‘t’aint pussy and ‘t’aint ass.” I was hesitant to tell #20 that, but now that Bill has taken us all back to laughter and serious definitions…guess I’ve lost my hesitation!

Gray, I share your laughter with your husband!!!!

BTW what on earth was the original topic of this thread? Oh yea….never mind!

but it taint unpleasant.

buddy suggests “tongue cleaning” it and folfol replies with “the sweet taste of the truth” Does anyone else find this just hilarious? I am dying here. The English langage is just better than SNL or a remake of Animal House for that matter.

Silver is the only person that I’m aware of who does video of meetings, and I find it really helpful particularly when I can’t attend the meetings. His council vids have been really good. I look forward to seeing the vid of this particular meeting, and thanks, Silver, for what you do. It takes time and effort that could be put to use elsewhere, so please know that at least on person appreciates it (though I won’t roll out of bed and show up like I do for other Saturday errands, wearing a hat and trying to hide!)

Does Silver (or anyone else) routinely tape and smallcast regular civic association meetings?

Routinely, no. I believe that Silver attempted to record an association meeting in Northside earlier this year and had some difficulties.

Tomorrow our little corner of the city will be featured, yet again, by Style Weekly. Whether such coverage is deserved or not, I hope we will move on quickly and show the rest of Richmond we mean business not only about historic preservation, but also about preserving the mixed-income and integrated character of our neighborhood. The two are not mutually exclusive and we look forward to proving it.

I also hope that neighbors on both sides of this issue will take time out to enjoy our 3rd Annual Progressive Dessert this Friday. Here is the link to the invitation: http://bit.ly/6OtTqn

A century ago it was the custom of our neighborhood to open our homes during the Christmas season and to share desserts and fellowship with neighbors and friends. Two years ago the modern day neighbors of Union Hill took up that tradition with the first Union Hill Progressive Dessert. Please join us (and spread the word), as Union Hill celebrates the Season by progressing through four homes on December 18th! We have much to celebrate and be thankful for!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsmybQKpmTw

I think it is important to show. Without audience shots, it’s impossible to know whether the person is speaking to 5 or 50 people. It’s important historical documentation.

I don’t care about people rolling out of bed. I just rolled of bed myself.

I submit that public meetings are public. I don’t want to chill others’ participation. I am an advocate of increasing participation.

All that being said, I may be more sensitive in the future. These shots are fleeting and aren’t that incriminating.

My apologies for not posting the video yet. When it rains I lose my internet connection.

I know Style Weekly used to be a responsible news outlet, I’m just having trouble remembering when.

we’ve seen that the local richmond media love drama, and that’s really all they’re looking for when they come up to the hill: drama. not news

Given that, did anyone get a sense of why that reporter from Style was at the meeting yesterday, or catch her name?

BUT i do think video recording of routine Civic Assoc. mtgs would have a chilling effect on neighborhood advocacy and citizen involvement.

i dunno about you, but i don’t want to be part of a reality tv show–with video cams recording every meeting with me & my neighbors.

yes, some things do become newsworthy beyond our ‘hood after weeks/months of brewing at a neighborhood level (remember, we’re all volunteers in this thing, with day jobs and other lives.)

but that’s the beauty of the neighborhood civic association, we hash it out at a grassroots level: it’s sometimes awkward or a little sloppy, but we eventually shore it up and take it to the next level.

folks need to be able to honestly argue & debate with their neighbors without worrying their discussion is being recorded and broadcast.

sometimes folks get emotional, they might say something in a meeting in a heated way, then a couple days later, when cooler heads prevail, they clear it up with anyone who might have taken offense. it’s a natural course of dialogue and imo, it doesn’t deserve to be video-recorded and broadcast.

that said, by the time a major neighborhood initiative gets to the School Board, Planning Commission or City Council level, then folks are ready to be media fodder.

John, please note that I’m not complaining about your coverage–it’s great–it’s just we’ve seen that the local richmond media love drama, and that’s really all they’re looking for when they come up to the hill: drama. not news.

With that said, I understand your reluctance to be recorded. When I have done video for 7th District meetings in the past, I have kept the camera on the public speakers (for example). My take is that gov’t representatives and the like have signed on for a more public role, while the audience has not (even though it is a public meeting, informal or not).

Even my approach, though, will pick up the voices of the audience when they ask questions or put forth comments. How does this strike you? I’m interested in what folks might have to say here.

I’ve urged the local civic associations to consider stating their stance on recording during meetings. Things that happen at CHA or Union Hill meetings etc are sometimes locally newsworthy and sometimes grab attention city-wide. Any organization holding a public meeting should be able to articulate a policy on the recording of meetings that applies equally to any local tv stations, newspaper reporters, citizen journalists, or other folks with a camera and an interest.

could you avoid repeatedly video taping the audience at these informal gatherings? your frequent panning of the audience yesterday creeped me out.

honestly, a gal (or a guy) should be able to roll out of bed on a saturday morning, not have to fix hair or makeup, and wear paint-spattered dungarees to an informal neighborhood meeting WITHOUT having to worry about showing up on the internet.

and folks wonder why more citizens don’t attend informal governmental meetings? because what used to be a neighborhood meeting with our council person is now a reality-tv-show.

having a video cam recording the audience makes me nervous. if i ask a question, why should my stutter or stammer live forever on the internet?

now i understand why cameras aren’t always allowed in courtrooms. an etch-a-sketch, however, would be more suitable.