





It's been a stormy few years for the Willmar City Council, the West Central Tribune's editorial board noted in a May editorial, Willmar City Council members are losing our trust.

And the council members are sensitive to public opinion, we learned in Willmar Labor Relations Committee discusses limits to open forums, a news report later in the month.

But tonight, the Willmar City Council had its own moment of zen on twitter when West Central Tribune education beat reporter Linda Vanderwerf tweeted about their fear of a tweeted planet:

#WillmarCouncil discussing whether to allow any phones in the chambers. Don't like what they say going out on #Twitter right away. — Linda Vanderwerf (@lindavanderwerf) June 15, 2015

Members say is annoying and intimidating. #WillmarCouncil That danged First Amendment. — Linda Vanderwerf (@lindavanderwerf) June 15, 2015

That was followed by:

#WillmarCouncil is attending training with League of Minnesota Cities. Interesting refresher on Open Meeting Law. — Linda Vanderwerf (@lindavanderwerf) June 15, 2015

Finally:

So the#WillmarCouncil talked about banning phones from chambers, because #Twitter. Me? I picked up my phone and tweeted it. #firstamendment — Linda Vanderwerf (@lindavanderwerf) June 15, 2015

Fortunately, there's some good news to share from the council meeting:

#Willmar made it to second round in Bark for your Park contest for funding for a #dogpark. Good news for our pooches. :) #WillmarCouncil — Linda Vanderwerf (@lindavanderwerf) June 16, 2015

And that's the way it is--in West Central Minnesota.

Photo: Willmar City Council, via West Central Tribune.

If you appreciate Bluestem Prairie, you can mail contributions (payable to Sally Jo Sorensen P.O. Box 108, Maynard MN 56260) or use the paypal button below:

Email subscribers can contribute via this link to paypal; use email sally.jo.sorensen at gmail.com as recipient.