In a contentious work session last week, council president Mister Dowdy faced criticism for his handling of the agenda and his aggressive conduct towards city administration. The meeting, which featured only one item on the published agenda, saw Dowdy introduce five additional topics without prior notice, effectively preventing public commentary on these new issues.

Attendees expressed frustration over this lack of transparency, with one citizen, John Grout, highlighting that he would have participated had he been aware of the additional items. Grout accused Dowdy of circumventing established rules to suppress public opposition and criticized his confrontational approach towards city officials, particularly the director of the Downtown Improvement District (DID).

Grout's remarks underscored a broader concern regarding the council's adherence to its own protocols, suggesting that the council's actions reflect a disregard for citizen input and transparency. He also noted that his previous requests for agenda items and meeting minutes from a controversial closed session have gone unanswered, raising questions about accountability within the council.

The session concluded with Grout calling for the council to refocus on its responsibilities and to prioritize the interests of the community over personal agendas. His comments reflect a growing discontent among citizens regarding the council's governance and its commitment to public engagement.