One single person can totally change an outcome. The saying "You can't beat city hall" is not always true.
(Plz excuse picture quality, it's taken from Cable TV) - (ACE is BERT).
I have been a City Planning Commissioner for 5 years now and have seen it happen many times at public hearings. Sometimes, after an hour or so and much discussion, all Commissioners and/or Council members seem to agree on a certain plan of action (Plan A) and are ready to vote on it to become law. Then ONE citizen stands at the podium and makes their point, totally opposite of plan A. There is usually a silence as they listen to the citizen (plan B), then slowly the questions begin, and one by one the voting members swing about and surprise, next thing you know, Plan B is the one voted to become law.
OR - Sometimes a proposal is made and all agree, but then a single citizen may point out a problem and that's sometimes enough to kill the proposal.
Of course it doesn't always work that way, but it DOES happen. You CAN make a difference. Don't give up too easily. It's important that you be prepared.
Do not complain but have solutions. Be logical, rational, and concise and don't ever get angry. Your emotions make NO difference compared to facts.
One of the biggest frustrations is that citizens don't care to be involved. If it doesn't affect them directly they don't show up for hearings. We send out hundreds of letters to those neighborhoods affected and if we're lucky, one or two will show up. OR, if they do show up it's far too late in the process and they have little chance of swaying the decision. Then those who didn't show up complain after a decision is made. Showing up is half of winning.
