January 7, 2016, (KMJ) Fresno – Fresno City Council members voted unanimously Thursday to kill so-called “ghost voting”.
Council members say they have received some feedback from citizens who are upset that representatives are not actually required to be there in person when important votes take place – so that any changes to an issue would not be considered by the absentee representatives, who have already submitted their final vote.
“I think that Council hears and listens to the public and it seems like the public was saying this isn’t what council members should be doing, they should be present to vote.” – Fresno Council Member Steve Brandau.
Council Members Steve Brandau and Clint Olivier had both been criticized recently for casting votes without attending council meetings. They both voted for the rule change.
