I am Anne Randt, Winlock City Council member and this is my response to the article published in The Chronicle on Jan. 4, 2020.
The current council is now working for the citizens of Winlock. We have held two council meetings since being sworn in by Toledo Mayor Steve Dobosh on Dec. 2, 1019. We each had our own personal reasons for being sworn in at Toledo City Hall. I chose to go to Toledo to be sworn in after a request to be sworn in early at a Winlock Council meeting was denied. Toledo is my hometown — I grew up there and graduated from Toledo High School. I felt comfortable having Mayor Steve Dobosh swear me in. I am grateful to Mayor Dobosh and Toledo office staff for their assistance.
Council members at the first meeting began working with issues to allow open government and transparency to the citizens of Winlock. The council is now reviewing the 2020 budget that was passed by the previous council. We are making an effort to do our job that you, the citizens, have elected us to do, monitoring how your money is being spent.
Council members will be scheduling a town hall meeting for all citizens with a Winlock address to discuss issues that may pertain to the City of Winlock. This meeting will be advertised so that you will have sufficient notice of the scheduled date, time and location. It is the council members’ desire to have a significant citizen attendance to permit your voice to be heard.
There have been numerous statements concerning the council’s productivity being plagued by on-going tensions. My personal opinion, if asking questions concerning the council members legislative responsibilities to Winlock citizens is considered on-going tensions, then open government and transparency on city issues need discussion in an open council meeting and not behind closed doors.
Anne Randt
Winlock
