During a recent finance committee meeting, concerns were raised regarding the council's dismissive attitude towards input from local business owners. A participant expressed disappointment over the council members' apparent prioritization of other community stakeholders over business perspectives, which they felt fostered a divisive \"small business owner versus workers\" mentality.

The individual highlighted that the discussions during the meeting seemed disconnected from the realities faced by local businesses, citing comments from council members suggesting that businesses could simply \"make it work.\" This sentiment was perceived as undermining the valuable insights that business owners could provide regarding the potential impacts of proposed policies on the local economy.

The participant emphasized the need for improved communication between the city council and business groups, such as the PBIA and the Chamber of Commerce. They argued that a more inclusive dialogue could prevent the spread of biased rumors and misinformation within the community. The call for better engagement reflects a broader concern about the council's understanding of the challenges faced by small businesses and the importance of their contributions to the local economy.