Brandy Williams
The mayor’s Transit Solutions Team presented its final recommendations to City Council on Monday.
When Councilwoman Brandy Williams asked whether anyone on the team tried to get around the city using only the bus system as part of their research, Chairman Robert Shonkwiler refused to answer the question.
“I was asked to do this by the mayor, and there weren’t any qualifications that I had to do that,” Shonkwiler responded.
“And frankly, our recommendations stand where they are, and personal questions about what I do or don’t do, I think, is my business,” he said.
When Williams said she wasn’t meddling in his personal business, Shonkwiler she was.
“I don’t think you’ve got any right to ask me that question, and I respectfully decline to answer. It’s none of your business,” he said.
Williams didn’t engage Shonkwiler from the dais, but she said Tuesday that she was “taken aback” by his reaction to her question.
“I thought it was disrespectful,” she said.
“I definitely did not expect that kind of reaction, not in my wildest dreams.”
Reaction from Williams’ colleagues has been mixed.
“Shonkwiler is one of the brightest minds in the public policy debate. To call him out was very disrespectful and is another reason we cannot get more community involvement. Private citizens won’t put up with the brain damage,” Councilman Tim Leigh wrote on Facebook.
“‘Brightest minds in the public policy debate’” — gimme a break,” responded Councilwoman Lisa Czelatdko. “According to whom and displayed when Tim? Also, an expert in Boulder does not make an expert in Colorado Springs.”
But Czelatdko said council members “should just listen and say thank you” when community volunteers give of their time to provide reports and recommendations to council.
“We shouldn’t question, debate, point out disagreements, etc. until a recommendation comes forward needing a vote. Nobody who has sat on a committee and given their time and attention to a subject wants it picked apart or criticized. I’ve seen my colleagues do that several times and so I can understand the defensiveness and irritation. I think things could have been handled better on both sides,” she wrote.
Councilman Bernie Herpin said it boiled down to respect.
“It’s not whether or not he used public transportation. It was his reply that was uncalled for. All he had to say was, ‘No I haven’t, but I had experience in Boulder…’” Herpin wrote.
At the beginning of Tuesday’s council meeting, Council President Scott Hente said Shonkwiler’s response “unfortunately” was “not in keeping with the civility and the decorum” expected at council meetings and then he apologized to Williams because he didn’t say anything Monday.
“That sort of instant will not happen again,” Hente said.
In a telephone interview Wednesday, Leigh said if anyone should be apologizing, it should be Williams.
“Someone should ask her if she’s sold a hospital before,” Leigh said, referring to Williams being one of two council liaisons to the Memorial Health System negotiating team.
“If there’s an apology to be made, I think it should come from her to him because if there’s anybody who’s doing on-the-job training, it’s Brandy,” Leigh said.
Here’s video of Shonkwiler telling Williams that her question was none of her business:
I think Councilwoman Williams asked a valid question. Shouldn’t a “Transit Team” want to know how easily residents can get from place to place using the public transportation system?
In my opinion, Councilman Leigh has not shown himself to be a reasoned, thoughtful individual.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rmyRL5bK0M
To quote Rodney King, “Why can’t we just get along?”
This nastiness from Shunk whatever his name is a result of lack of respect for City Council. The Torns of authority want to do away with City Council, so these so called solutions commitees (AKA) old age gangster who think they owe no one an answer as to who, why and how they came to thier solution.
As for Tim Leigh he needs to give it a rest and go lay it down for real.
Wheres that cone head when we need it.
Councilwomen Williams does not owe shunk weiller and an I am sorry.
It doubtfull that anyone in city goverment has ever used Public transportation so with out experiencing it first hand to give a solution to is so out of his league.
Liithia
It was a very valid question. She did not ask if he used public transportation to get to and from work but whether the team experienced first-hand the public transportation of this city. Systems and analyses on paper may not match the realities on the street.
Ms. Williams should tell them all to eat shite with a big spoon and howl at the moon. She was correct and it is her job to call out POS.
Councilwoman Williams – THANK YOU for asking a pretty basic question. If you’re recommending “solutions” for transit, why wouldn’t you want to take the opportunity to try out the service if you haven’t used it before (or for awhile). Duh! And I disagree with the recommendation to get rid of FREX – it is a solidly performing service that many people use. It’s a good service. The better recommendation is how to come up with additional funding to support more night and weekend service, faster service, etc. rather than robbing Peter to pay Paul.
Councilwoman Williams asked a perfectly legitimate question. Mr Shonkwiler’s response was completely uncalled for and inappropriate. Likewise, Councilman Leigh continues to prove himself to be the low-wattage bulb of Council.
Council member Williams was within her rights, and had an obligation to ask Shonkwiler that question. It’s perfectly reasonable to inquire as to whether an “expert” has any real experience with what he’s claiming to be an “expert” at.
Leigh is once again acting as Bachs lapdog. No surprise there.
Tim Leigh Mayor Bach’s lap dog? That’s giving lap dogs a bad name. Plus, Mayor Bach is too dumb to own or train a dog of any kind. Listen to this guy.He truly is an empty suit He sounds dumber than dirt, much like another fine republican, George Dubya.
He was offended because wealthy people like to make decisions, but they don’t like to explain themselves.
And this guy has plans to run for Council next year? Youll never get my vote.