BY PHIL CUSTODIO
Clarkston News Editor
City Council will have a new look in January, after a new seating order was approved.
Council member Rick Detkowski made the proposal to arrange seating by alphabetical order, with the mayor in the middle. The council voted 4-3, Dec. 11, to approve it.
“I don’t see the reason for it,” said Council member Sharron Catallo, who voted against it along with Mayor Steven Percival and Council member Jason Kneisc. “It’s always been done the way we do it now, and it’s not been a problem.”
Detkowski said the change will “freshen things up bit,” and help with public perception of the council.
“Some viewers assume collusion – I’d like to try to break that suggestion by physically moving the spots,” he said.
“People say that,” Catallo asked.
“Of course they do,” Detkowski said.
Catallo said the seating order, which was, from left, Scott Reynolds, Sue Wylie, Detkowski, Percival, Catallo, Kneisc, and Eric Haven, was a tradition.
“You sit in the seat of people you replace – it’s worked,” she said. “There’s never been any difficulty as long as I’ve been here.”
The perception in public has been because people sit next to each other, they are on the same side, Reynolds said.
“I walked to all 400 houses during the campaign – people would ask me what side I’m on,” Reynolds said. “My answer was, ‘I’m neutral.’ I’m in favor of dispelling that. There’s a bigger perception of it than you may think.”
“I think that’s ridiculous,” Catallo said.
“People say that,” Wylie said.
“You guys can do whatever you want, I’m not moving,” Catallo said. “This is so kindergarten.”