Photo: Todd GillProclamations X-plained
Last month at the NAMA awards ceremony, Mayor Lioneld Jordan took the stage to officially proclaim April 23rd as Northwest Arkansas Musicians Day.
A few days ago at The New School’s ISACS accreditation ceremony, the Mayor proclaimed May 2, 2009 as The New School Day.
There have been a few comments both here on the Flyer and even in conversations I’ve had around town in the past few days that signify some confusion as to what exactly a proclamation is and how it’s conceived. Maybe we can help.
I already stated the following in a comment yesterday but thought I’d go ahead a re-post in our brief announcements section since we’re going to be discussing yet another proclamation that’s happening this weekend. More on that later…
Mayoral proclamations are requested by the public in order to recognize and commensurate special occasions or significant community or individual achievements. They’re thought to be a good way to help increase public awareness of your organization since you can usually convince the Mayor to stop by for a photo op.
In some cities, there’s a required written request involved and certain criteria must be met.
In Fayetteville, there are no formal rules written out but in order to even be considered, the event must have some kind of cultural, social or historic significance to the City. For individual proclamations, the person must play or have played some kind of significant role in the local community.
In other words, these things aren’t conceived in the Mayor’s office but are rather provided as a service to the public by the Mayor’s office.
Alderman Matthew Petty doesn’t think) this is the best way to go about honoring organizations and successes. What about you?
Comments
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By Matthew Petty on May 7th, 2009
Great writeup, Todd. I’m glad the Flyer is keeping its political feet wet.
I know the organizations are the ones doing the requesting, but I think establishing named days is something that should be reserved for very special things. Things that aren’t just nice, but inspire us to make a difference or spend time reverently honoring something or someone.
Bike to Work Week makes sense because it’s a planned action people can rally around. Is the New School or the City going to do anything in recognition of next year’s New School Day? Probably not.
One thing the Council just passed was designating April as Child Abuse Awareness Month. That’s a great thing to do if we leverage that proclamation in the future to make a real difference in the lives of abused children, but it’s pretty worthless if we don’t do anything except make the proclamation – whether the City initiated the proclamation process or not.
By Todd on May 7th, 2009
@Matthew Petty, Good point about leveraging the proclamations but for some reason, I was under the impression that May 2, 2009 was The New School Day and not every May 2 that would follow. Not sure why. I think that’s how the Mayor read it, though. Anyone know the details? Is that even possible?
By Matthew Petty on May 8th, 2009
If that’s the case, then I take back what I said.
By Boogtastic on May 8th, 2009
“Next year’s New School Day”?! Are you kidding me? You really thought it was in perpetuity?
By Matthew Petty on May 8th, 2009
No, I’m not kidding you, and I’d be surprised if there weren’t other people who made the same assumption.
Anyway, I’m not making a big deal out of it. I just wanted to explain myself. It’s not like I’m going to try and convince the Mayor to stop making proclamations. That wouldn’t be a good use of anyone’s time (and arguing on the Internet about it isn’t either).
By Boogtastic on May 8th, 2009
Who is arguing? Yes, now that I think about it, I’m sure others would make the same assumption. I believe the term for such folks is “morons”. Just admit (at least quietly to yourself..we don’t want to waste precious time on the internet) that it was a stupid notion. Laughing at yourself every once in a while isn’t so bad.
By two good eyes on May 8th, 2009
In reference to this comment on the prior related post:
“By Matthew Petty on May 6th, 2009
Plus, that guy receiving the award looks exactly like me. Scary.”
Alderman Petty–we know you are understandably disappointed that your guy lost. On the whole you have comported yourself admirably in light of that and the pursuant demotion from the expected position of the mayor’s golden boy that followed. Significant credit is due to you for that.
But please don’t delude yourself into believing that you are a doppleganger for the handsome, sophisticated and debonaire Bill Mandrell. That’s beyond the pale.
By Informed voter on May 8th, 2009
Matt, It’s not all about you. It is about what the people want.
The proclamations are just for this day this year.
This is done to give a little deserving press to those who contribute to the city.
Don’t be looking for a Matt Petty day anytime soon.
Have I noticed a reduction in your tweets since the Nock debacle? Or do you just use a different account for those sorts of comments now?
By skalmt on May 9th, 2009
I didn’t know it was only for this year. Glad to know that if Fred Savage comes next year we will most likely have a day available to him! I guess I’m right there with you Matthew Petty, and it’s only appropriate b/c I voted for you too!
By The Dude on May 9th, 2009
Seems to me using a Day proclamation is a crappy way to engage the media. The event must not be that newsworthy in the first place.
The Mayor could just issue a notice saying “i’ll be here honoring this group at this time, here are my talking points” and accomplish just as much.
By George on May 10th, 2009
@Boog, et al – What’s with the anger issues? I thought the same thing as Mr. Petty. Sorry but I assumed if today was officially proclaimed Rex Manning Day, then it would be Rex Manning Day every year. I must be a moron as well.
Let’s not attack our alderman over stupid s&^t. It takes a lot of balls for a politician to express his opinions in an open forum such as this. I for one respect that.
By skalmt on May 10th, 2009
@George If I could take back all the stupid Fred Savage day remarks and insert Rex Manning day in place I would…good call!!! Why didn’t I think of that? Classic movie!
“I’M TAKING REX HIS LUNCH!!!!”
By anon on May 19th, 2009
Gotta agree with boogtastic (uh, pick a new name), but yeah how can anyone really think declatory “days” are forever? Moron is apt. Also, pretty obvious that George and skalmt are stooges for MP.
By George on May 20th, 2009
@anon – I am no one’s stooge (except maybe Alison Mosshart from The Kills…pls call me). I’ve never even met MP, but I respect the guy for putting himself out there and exposing his soft underbelly for douchnozzles like u to nitpick every word. God knows I’ve made plenty of bonehead mistakes, but I’m no moron. Tell ya what…if u ever want to get together and compare education levels, IQ’s, or just to have a f&$king spelling contest, look me up. I’m in the phone book under Bad Motherf%$ker. Ass!
By Urk on May 20th, 2009
given that there are some things that could benefit from being perpetually remembered, the idea that such a day is named in perpetuity doesn’t seem silly at all. Matt petty pointed out a few things that could definitely be useful to observe each year. As a local music fan I’d love to see “Northwest Arkansas Music Day” as something that came around on the calender. Similarly, I’d love it if “Jojo Thompson Day” which was proclaimed around the time that Little Jojo passed away, was observed each year. As it is, I can’t seem to find anybody who remembers when that day was, and I’d bet that more than half of y’all don’t even know who he was.
so maybe some things could be declared in perpetuity and other things could be more of the “hey, this is good!” nature and get either one day declarations or,a s suggested above, maybe just a “At citizens request, the mayor honors…” without being attached to the calender.
And, just so that anonymous ****s can call me names too, I also thought that “such and such day” was declared in perpetuity. Knowing that it’s not makes sense of a few things tho, like the time that Republican mayor Fred Hanna declared “gay rights day” at citizens request, a proclomaiton that was officially withdrawn before the end of said day.
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