Commissions are effective, in my experience, when they can say and do things that simply cannot be ignored by the politicians. My time on the Parks Advisory Commission was, by and large, rewarding. This was many years ago, of course, and local politics were much different back then. There was still a 2 party system then, and there was still some noblesse oblige on the part of the majority when it came to appointing members of the minority.

Even my time as chair of the first public arts commission was productive, in that we installed 4 major public art pieces in the city, and did it with mostly private funding.

But I’m not ready to serve again. Partly because of the process I suffered through. The inquisition I got was about as severe as a Supreme Court appointee. And, I don’t think the political climate is right for serious public involvement in public issues.

So I’ll stay retired, write my book and build my cars.

The appearance that commissions sometimes decide things is just that—an appearance. Mostly their actions are predetermined, either by where the administration and staff are leading them, or by council (who have one or two reps on most commissions). If not, they’re ignored or their recommendations are sent to the black hole of the attorney’s office. Those that are adopted by council are done so because that’s what council wanted in the first place. Mostly that’s all that gets to council because the gatekeepers on the commissions ensure it.

Politicians don’t want to get elected so they can listen to commissions. They do it so they can ‘get things done’. Or at least appear to.

But then maybe the eleven years I served on city commissions during the current mayor’s terms in office are obscuring my memory of the twelve years that I served on committees and commissions under earlier mayors (and councils). Maybe. Maybe it’s just this mayor who somehow chooses appointees so adeptly that they all carry out his wishes, and that will end when he’s out of office.

I have friends on many commissions and on council. I consider the mayor a friend. I love them all. What I wrote above about politicians isn’t really accurate is it? Most people—not just politicians—operate on fear. Maybe someday we can have a commission on fear. That might be worth serving on.

I look forward to a lively discussion of this. And I look forward to being judged. And I look forward to being proven wrong. I’d much rather be free than right.