This Reading Almost Clears the House

To read or not to read the consent calendar. That is the question that has divided the City Council and on Monday prompted three of its members to walk off the council platform in silent protest.

Councilmen Anthony Naranjo, John R. Dangleis and Harry Stemrich walked off when Councilman Stephen J. Alexander began reading the 16-item consent calendar out loud.

To save time at meetings, the council in October voted 3 to 2 to abandon the long-held tradition of having the city administrator read the consent calendar aloud.

But Alexander and Mayor Eugene F. Moses contend that the oral reading of the calender--whose items, usually routine, are not individually debated--fosters greater understanding and helps the vision-impaired. So Alexander has started reading the consent calendar himself.

The three councilmen say they will continue their silent protests to Alexander reading the calendar. “We’re going to continue to do this until they realize that a vote has been taken and the majority has spoken,” Naranjo said.