Councilors comments is a time allotted during the Lebanon City Council meetings to present subjects the citizens of Lebanon have presented to me.

I feel it is my obligation and duty to comment on the public's concerns to the other councilors, the public and city. There are no restrictions on the subject matter, or amount of time spent on issues by city councilors.

At the Oct. 14, 2009, city council meeting, I was ruled out of order three times by the Mayor, Ken Toomb. The second and third time I prefaced my intended comments with "Point of Order" as required by Roberts Rules of Order, and was still ruled out of order all three times after saying only two words. Unless our mayor is psychic, he had no idea what I was going to talk about.

I wanted to present two items I felt were very important to my being able to perform the duties for which I was elected by the citizens of Lebanon. Below are the points I attempted to raise.

Item No. 1: On Sept. 30, 2009, the Lebanon Express had an editorial on the proposed new Lebanon public events code. The editorial read, "To put it bluntly, the proposed code appears designed to prevent events from being held."

I was greatly concerned because I had not been informed about revising the code and it had not been presented at a city council meeting. After the editorial came out I started getting phone calls from alarmed citizens and business owners. I had to tell them I would call them back after I found out what was going on.

I went to city hall and requested a copy of the "Proposed New Lebanon Public Events Code." I received a copy and was told the other councilors would receive a copy in their three-ring binder for the next city council meeting.

Once I read the public events code I became deeply worried at the potentially disastrous effect these rules could have on commerce and the spirit of community activities, and was afraid it may be illegal and violate the citizens of Lebanon civil rights to public assembly.

I found it very alarming that I would have to find out about such a proposal of the city administration by reading it in the newspaper, instead of being informed in the proper manner at a city council meeting.

I am an advocate of transparency in city matters, but city council members should receive all such information prior to its release to the media so as not to be blindsided and avoid unnecessary panicking of citizens.

Item No. 2, mail to city councilors: I received an inquiry from a constituent about whether I had received a copy of this person's letter that had been addressed and sent out the city council as well as other city employees. I assured this person I had not and was informed that another copy would be sent directly to me, which I have received.

Not receiving correspondence from constituents directed to me is very disconcerting because it hinders my ability as a councilman to fully understand the issues, and make objective decisions that will be in the best interests of the citizens of Lebanon.

Ray Weldon is the Lebanon City Councilor for Ward I. He can be reached at 541-401-3162.

Editor's note: The public events ordinance was originally on the city council's agenda for Sept. 9, but the discussion was removed at the beginning of the meeting. The Lebanon Express followed up on the issue at that point. The council has yet to discuss the ordinance.