On Sat. Dec. 31 three new council members took office: Gary Brooks for District B, Jim Taliaferro for District C, and Ursula Bowman for District G.

But guess what?

None of these elected officials have city email addresses nor city phones.

For some reason the council clerk did not set these up before the inauguration.

The orientation of these three will be this Thursday am.

So, if you have problems with garbage, potholes, etc.--then good luck unless you have access to their personal cell numbers and/or personal emails.

When the last council was elected, then council clerk Art Thompson had an orientation before the inauguration. New council members received emails and city phones then so they could be "on the job" from the minute after taking the oath.

So, what’s the deal?

Why the council clerk delayed this important issue?

Did she delay orientation on her own volition or was she directed by the council chair to wait until this week.

No matter the reason, this delay is bad government, plain and simple.