During a recent city commission meeting, a significant discussion emerged regarding the commission's stance on international issues, particularly in relation to Venezuela and communism. Commissioner Arroyo emphasized the importance of the commission taking a clear position against communism, arguing that remaining neutral sends a negative message to constituents, especially younger residents. He proposed a resolution to stand with the Venezuelan people by denouncing the results of their recent election and condemning communism. However, the motion ultimately failed with a vote of 3 to 2.

Arroyo highlighted that the commission often engages in symbolic acts, such as proclamations and bridge lightings, and suggested that supporting the Venezuelan people aligns with the stance already taken by the U.S. government. He expressed concern that not supporting the resolution would imply a lack of commitment to the community's values.

In a separate segment of the meeting, a resident voiced concerns about the commission's perceived disregard for community input. The resident criticized the commission for joking about tax increases and the low turnout of citizens at meetings, emphasizing that many residents have jobs and families that prevent them from attending. The resident urged the commission to consider the needs of all constituents, particularly low-income individuals, when making policy decisions.

The meeting concluded with a call for the commission to be more mindful of its actions and their impact on the community, reinforcing the need for greater engagement with residents.