{"id":69236,"date":"2015-07-26T21:14:22","date_gmt":"2015-07-27T03:14:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.nmpolitics.net\/index\/?p=69236"},"modified":"2015-07-27T15:33:56","modified_gmt":"2015-07-27T21:33:56","slug":"petition-asks-hobbs-city-commission-to-begin-webcasting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/2015\/07\/petition-asks-hobbs-city-commission-to-begin-webcasting\/","title":{"rendered":"Petition asks Hobbs City Commission to begin webcasting"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"attachment_63479\"  class=\"wp-caption module image alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 771px;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-63479\" src=\"http:\/\/www.nmpolitics.net\/index\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/HobbsCityHall1-771x465.jpg\" alt=\"City Hall in Hobbs, N.M.\" width=\"771\" height=\"465\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/HobbsCityHall1-771x465.jpg 771w, https:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/HobbsCityHall1-336x203.jpg 336w, https:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/HobbsCityHall1-768x463.jpg 768w, https:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/HobbsCityHall1-1170x705.jpg 1170w, https:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/HobbsCityHall1.jpg 1234w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 771px) 100vw, 771px\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-media-credit\">Courtesy photo<\/p><p class=\"wp-caption-text\">City Hall in Hobbs, N.M.<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Several dozen Hobbs residents have signed <a href=\"http:\/\/www.petitions24.com\/signatures\/public_cameras_are_necessary_in_hobbs_commission_meeting\/start\/0\" target=\"_blank\">a petition<\/a> asking their City Commission to begin webcasting and televising its\u00a0meetings to increase access.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"module align-left half type-aside\">\n<h3>To get involved<\/h3>\n<p>Hobbs residents are pushing for webcasting of city government meetings. Here&#8217;s how you can support\u00a0their efforts:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.petitions24.com\/signatures\/public_cameras_are_necessary_in_hobbs_commission_meeting\/start\/0\" target=\"_blank\">Sign the petition<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/groups\/1615220548723381\/\" target=\"_blank\">Join the\u00a0Facebook group<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p>The petition drive began last week, even as some city officials said almost no one has shared with them a desire for webcasting.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I don\u2019t see the real big concern from anybody else other than two people, and I\u2019ve not received any other calls about broadcasting this,&#8221; Commissioner Marshall Newman said at a meeting a week ago.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I\u2019m just saying because I go with public input,&#8221; Newman said. &#8220;I\u2019m real serious about that, if somebody\u2019s got a question or whatever. And there\u2019s only two people that have brought this up. I\u2019m just saying.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>He was speaking to Hobbs resident Byron Marshall, one of two citizens who <a href=\"http:\/\/www.nmpolitics.net\/index\/2015\/06\/citizens-push-for-webcasting-in-hobbs\/\" target=\"_blank\">began the push for webcasting<\/a>, during <a href=\"http:\/\/www.nmpolitics.net\/index\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/MarshallPublicInputComments.mp3\" target=\"_blank\">a sometimes contentious exchange<\/a> at last Monday&#8217;s commission meeting.<\/p>\n<p>In addition to the dozens of people who have signed the petition, NMPolitics.net quoted several Hobbs residents <a href=\"http:\/\/www.nmpolitics.net\/index\/2015\/07\/more-hobbs-residents-call-for-webcasting-of-city-meetings\/\" target=\"_blank\">earlier this month<\/a> who want the city to begin webcasting.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"module align-left half type-aside\">\n<h3>Listen<\/h3>\n<p>You can hear the exchange between Byron Marshall and Hobbs officials at last Monday&#8217;s meeting <a href=\"http:\/\/www.nmpolitics.net\/index\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/MarshallPublicInputComments.mp3\" target=\"_blank\">here<\/a>:<\/p>\n<!--[if lt IE 9]><script>document.createElement('audio');<\/script><![endif]-->\n<audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-69236-1\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"http:\/\/www.nmpolitics.net\/index\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/MarshallPublicInputComments.mp3?_=1\" \/><a href=\"http:\/\/www.nmpolitics.net\/index\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/MarshallPublicInputComments.mp3\">http:\/\/www.nmpolitics.net\/index\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/MarshallPublicInputComments.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n<\/aside>\n<p>Staci Barcuch wrote, when she signed the petition,\u00a0that she is part of a growing trend of people who don&#8217;t participate in government because they don&#8217;t believe their votes matter. Webcasting could change that.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The City of Hobbs has a great opportunity to open up government to its people for generations to come,&#8221; she wrote. &#8220;What a wonderful way to cultivate relationships for potential leadership moving forward!&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Hobbs is behind\u00a0the curve when it comes to webcasting. The state\u2019s largest cities \u2014\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cabq.gov\/culturalservices\/govtv\" target=\"_blank\">Albuquerque<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/las-cruces.granicus.com\/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=2\" target=\"_blank\">Las Cruces<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.ci.rio-rancho.nm.us\/index.aspx?NID=2303&amp;ART=5089&amp;ADMIN=1\" target=\"_blank\">Rio Rancho<\/a> and\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.santafenm.gov\/video_on_demand\" target=\"_blank\">Santa Fe<\/a>\u00a0\u2014 all webcast and archive meetings of their governing boards, as do many smaller towns\u00a0including <a href=\"http:\/\/www.lasvegasnm.gov\/departments\/city_clerk\/city_meetings_and_minutes\/index.php\" target=\"_blank\">Las Vegas<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.townofsilvercity.org\/r\/agendas_minutes_and_video.php\" target=\"_blank\">Silver City<\/a> and\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.socorronm.gov\/city-council-meeting-webcasts-and-minutes\/\" target=\"_blank\">Socorro<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Hobbs\u00a0recently started broadcasting commission meetings on a local radio station. That\u2019s\u00a0helpful for people who can listen live but not those who are busy with jobs, families or other activities. Archiving audio and video online lets people watch and listen\u00a0when they can find time.<\/p>\n<h3>Manager will report by end of year<\/h3>\n<p>Hobbs commissioners have asked City Manager J.J. Murphy to report back to them by the end of the year on options for webcasting and\/or televising meetings. Murphy told the commission last week that he and IT staff are working to determine\u00a0how to move forward in a way that&#8217;s cost-efficient and reaches the greatest number of citizens.<\/p>\n<p>Marshall complained about the timeline, saying he determined through a few phone calls and emails to other cities how to get it done.<!--more--><\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s taking you guys to the end of the year to get something I got in an hour and a half conversation,&#8221; he said\u00a0at the meeting.<\/p>\n<p>When Newman said he&#8217;d received only two phone calls about webcasting &#8212; one of them from Marshall\u00a0&#8212;\u00a0the webcasting advocate asked\u00a0how many people called\u00a0for a $2.5 million system that includes cameras at intersections, in parks, in public buildings and elsewhere. He has frequently contrasted the\u00a0police surveillance system with the lack of cameras in commission meetings.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWell I think there\u2019s a lot of calls, Mr. Marshall, about safety in the community,&#8221; Commissioner\u00a0Jonathan Sena countered.<\/p>\n<p>Marshall began to speak about\u00a0the difference he sees between &#8220;safety in general&#8221; and the surveillance system. But Sena pointed out that Marshall\u00a0had run over his allotted three minutes to speak during the public input section of the meeting.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI appreciate you coming in,&#8221; Sena said. &#8220;I think we\u2019re past the three-minute point and I think it\u2019s gotten a bit repetitive. But we are hearing you out, and we appreciate your time, sir.\u201d<\/p>\n<h3>Commission will &#8216;drive the timeline&#8217;<\/h3>\n<p>Marshall laughed when Sena moved to cut off the discussion.\u00a0Mayor Sam Cobb told Marshall the commission would &#8220;drive the timeline&#8221; for implementing webcasting.<\/p>\n<p>Marshall responded by saying it seemed like the commission doesn&#8217;t\u00a0want transparency.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;You\u2019re willing to hold people accountable within your community with a surveillance and command system but you don\u2019t want people watching you do the business of the community. That\u2019s how I see it,&#8221; Marshall\u00a0said.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I\u2019m getting so much pushback for something that everybody else in the State of New Mexico has been doing for decades,&#8221; Marshall continued. &#8220;And you guys don\u2019t want to do it. Why? What\u2019s the reason?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Cobb joined Commissioner Newman\u00a0in sounding uncertain about whether officials\u00a0will implement webcasting.\u00a0The mayor responded to Byron Marshall by saying commissioners\u00a0would move forward &#8220;as fast as we can&#8221; if they believe their constituents want webcasting.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Right now we have not seen that the people want that other than some isolated instances,&#8221; Cobb said.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"module align-left half type-aside\">\n<h3>Listen<\/h3>\n<p>You can listen to Mullins&#8217; comments <a href=\"http:\/\/www.nmpolitics.net\/index\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/MullinsComments.mp3\" target=\"_blank\">here<\/a>:<\/p>\n<audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-69236-2\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"http:\/\/www.nmpolitics.net\/index\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/MullinsComments.mp3?_=2\" \/><a href=\"http:\/\/www.nmpolitics.net\/index\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/MullinsComments.mp3\">http:\/\/www.nmpolitics.net\/index\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/MullinsComments.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n<\/aside>\n<p>At the end of the meeting, after Marshall had left, Commissioner Crystal Mullins <a href=\"http:\/\/www.nmpolitics.net\/index\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/MullinsComments.mp3\" target=\"_blank\">said<\/a> she appreciated his &#8220;diligence on wanting to get televised meetings.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI also want televised meetings. I\u2019m not opposed to it at all,&#8221; Mullins\u00a0said. &#8220;But it takes time. &#8230;\u00a0It\u2019s something that goes through the process just like anything else.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The petition drive began last week, even as some city officials said almost no one has shared with them a desire for webcasting.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":63479,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[885,706],"class_list":["post-69236","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news-and-analysis","tag-hobbs","tag-transparency"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/69236","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=69236"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/69236\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/63479"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=69236"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=69236"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=69236"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}