What are the uses of city councils?

How interested are you in the city you live in?

I vote in municipal elections.

Another?

I am a law-abiding citizen. I love my country. I obey the laws.

It's beautiful there too, but is there anything else you do about the city you live in?

Yes, if I see a malfunction somewhere, I warn the relevant authorities. For example, if a pipe bursts, municipalities have communication channels, I call there.

Then there are various complaint centers, I can write my complaint there when necessary.

There is also an emergency call line 112, I can call there if anything requires urgent intervention.

Is that all?

Yes, what more do I need to do?

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The cities we live in are our living environments.

In order for the city to be a livable place, I think there should be different mechanisms through which we can contribute.

We are all affected by the environment we live in, even our character develops by being influenced by the environment we grow up in. Our living environments are one of the factors that make us who we are.

In this sense, it would be right if we directly contributed to the management of our living environments.

For example, why is there no city council in the cities we live in?

Would it be bad if there were city councils that everyone could attend on certain days of the week, and whoever wanted could express their own opinions for the city in these councils?

Okay, but who will organize such a thing? It would be costly! This includes water, snacks, and it costs a lot.

Even if something like this were organized, there would be too much participation and everyone would come up with ridiculous ideas.

Who will listen to all those ideas?

Then let's say you said we will implement your ideas, which of the ideas will you implement?

What if there is a debate in the council?

What if one doesn't like the other's idea and starts a fight?

It is certain that people cannot get along with each other civilly, and in a country like ours!

There will be an argument for sure!

Well, I think if a certain order is established, even if an argument breaks out, no one will fight.

There is already a certain time limit for expressions of opinion, so I picked up the instrument and there would be no favors from Mevla.

Maybe there will be someone on the council with good ideas, so such a council could actually be useful.

Am I thinking wrong?

***

I think an overpass should be built on the Ankara road to reach the Agricultural Credit Cooperative Market more easily!

OK, let's see. If we can set a budget and there is a real need, why not?

An underpass might be more appropriate rather than an overpass!

Okay, ma'am, let's consider this option as well.

Some trees in the Culture Park in Çekirge are not well maintained. I see a lot of dried branches on the trees.

OK sir, let's see. We will forward your complaint to the Parks and Gardens Directorate.

What beautiful birds used to sing in the park, but they don't sing anymore!

Okay uncle, we will handle it, by the way, when was the last time you had your ears checked?

Sir!

I mean your ears, should you show them to an ear, nose and throat specialist?

Oh, that's old age, my child, I have 60% hearing loss in my ears.

It is understood, uncle, we will have the birds in the park looked after, you can take your place.

***

Would it be bad to have a city council where people can express their complaints and produce new ideas on these and similar issues?

Why don't we have such councils by law?

Are people afraid to express their opinions about the environment they live in?

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We have headmen!

Okay, I think the headman's office is an important institution. Our headmen are important in terms of keeping their finger on the pulse of the people.

However, is it enough for a single person to listen to all the troubles, then filter his own mind and convey only the ideas he deems necessary to the authorities above?

I don't think there are any people in the management team who listen to the muhtars anyway.

***

There are non-governmental organizations!

Yes, non-governmental organizations can also communicate with the administration on some issues, but most of them have their own areas of interest. What I mean is to find a way for the public to contribute to the city administration. Non-governmental organizations are useful, but I think they are not enough.

***

Street interviews are being conducted!

Whoever says whatever he wants.

Yes, he does, but it is not like expressing an opinion in a city council. The city council is a more serious organization, after all.

***

Municipalities sometimes conduct surveys and get people's opinions on decisions to be made!

Yes, this is also a useful application.

However, surveys are based on asking the opinion of the public while making some decisions based on the ideas produced by those in government.

Should sea taxis be this color or that color?

I think it should be this color!

But I guess surveys aren't that useful when it comes to people's needs and opinions.

***

I think if we want people to integrate with each other, city councils are perfect for this job.

It will be good for our people if people unite and socialize with each other for a certain purpose, such as making the environment they live in even more beautiful.

In a sense, city councils will be places of socialization.

In fact, with local live broadcasting, people sitting at home can be informed about the ideas that people are talking about in the council.

We need to establish such city councils, perhaps not in big city municipalities, but at least in district municipalities.

It can also be established for big city municipalities, but in big cities these council meetings are very large and very long.

I think the district size is much more appropriate, I think it would be sufficient to have a directorate in metropolitan cities that will evaluate the reports coming from the districts.

***

Of course, a certain staff will be required to organize this work, but I do not think this will be a problem.

Of course, there will also be a need for a large place to gather in the districts.

In the past, mosques were used for these works, if I say in the old days, but mosques are now only places of worship.

Maybe such an organization can be started with large meeting places such as wedding halls. After all, there must be a place in the districts where the city council meets. There must be staff among the municipal staff who will keep minutes and record what is said.

The important thing is that management staff want such a thing.

This does not happen just by desire. I think city councils should be mandatory by law. It has all kinds of benefits.

Of course, if a law is to be made, it should also be written that the decisions taken in the city councils will be followed. At least it should be written in the law that suggestions and ideas must be taken into consideration by mayors and municipal councils.

***

The cities we live in are our living environments. The promises made in the elections are okay, but cities cannot be governed by the vision of just one person. Then, the validity of promises may vary depending on the conditions of the day.

Look, instead of denigrating the opponent because he forgot his promises, the candidates should come up with ideas such as a city council where the people will directly contribute to the administration.

However, care should be taken that this idea is not a promise that can be thrown aside. Even if it is not yet legal, mayors may consider organizing such an organization themselves and practically managing the city together with the public. In fact, if they do this, the nuances of the law that may be enacted in the future on this subject will already be decided with practical applications.

Meanwhile, there is a union of city councils established in Bursa. But I guess it's a bit of a political organization. What I have in mind is a council that deals with the problems of the environment we live in in the districts, not as a unity, but in a narrow scope. A council authorized by law and perhaps deriving its power from the constitution.

Of course, councils can unite as a union, but this union should only be a cooperation union. It should be above politics.

When we look at the members of the union established in Bursa, it becomes clear that the union directly pursues political purposes.

As a non-governmental organization, I think it's okay for it to be political, but it doesn't quite fit my mind.

In fact, city councils have also been established in many cities. I hope they work in accordance with what I have in mind.

I say we should love the cities we live in, so let's choose management staff consciously. On the other hand, let's contribute to the management through city councils.

With love and respect to everyone from Moscow.