The T&G doesn't get much splashier than this

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Those of us who believe in the public process were troubled by the mayor's efforts to limit comment on the education budget. Initially, she was going to limit the public to two speakers. Eventually, she allowed seven, and Vice-Chair Rushton, on taking the chair, allowed a few more. There was further effort, mainly in response to Councilor Rosen's remarks, to hurry things along and get it done.

This is the largest portion of the city budget. It has direct bearing on the lives of one-seventh of the city residents. It determines the direction of our city, the location of businesses, the local tax levy, and untold other decisions made about our city, large and small. If anything should be discussed, fully and at length, in the City of Worcester, it is the funding of public education.

To do otherwise is entirely contrary to the mayor's oft-cited position of openness. She has been much better about this than previous administrations, but last night's efforts were, to say the least, a troubling return to the previous stifling.