Are Marco Advisory Committees a Sham?

The Marco Advisory Committees can serve valuable purposes. Relaying the needs, wants and priorities of residents to City Government, lending technical expertise at no cost, and defending against decision makers running amok with tax dollars in dubious spending. Recently, three Waterways Advisory Committee members resigned in frustration leaving three openings. Since I have written to City Council on waterway matters to no effect, I applied for those openings. With a background of 42 years in Marine with 22 years in waterway, coastal and ocean project management and engineering, I am on a par with any marine consultant. Surprisingly, I have not been selected for any opening. It appears they are looking for "yes people." It bodes the question, is this the same for other Advisory Committees leading to questionable expenditures such as the Consultant for a management plan for the City’s Park system?

There appears to be a culture/attitude of City staff that Advisory Committees are a waste of their time. Staff leadership has been vocal to residents of their desire to dissolve or consolidate certain Committees. I understand that Staff cannot dissolve the Advisory Committees as City Council appoints members, and the Committees’ missions are by City Council resolutions and voted on by City Council at a regular Council Meeting. Perhaps City Council members feel the same as Staff? An effective Advisory Committee is a boon to the City and getting it right starts at the top.