From Deseret News archives:
Council members feel left out of the party
At least 2 say they were surprised by Cougartown
Council Chairwoman Cynthia R. Dayton was surprised Wednesday when she learned block "Y" logos were being painted that afternoon on University Boulevard.
"I had no idea that was going on," Dayton said. "We just ask that we be kept informed. These are city streets; this is not on BYU property."
Wednesday's shock at the event piggybacks complaints about the City Council's nonexistent role in Cougartown — a partnership between the city, Brigham Young University and local businesses to generate support and excitement for BYU athletics.
An anonymous e-mail that has circulated in the city contends that Mayor Lewis K. Billings has "excluded Provo City Council members at every level" of the Cougartown campaign.
Dayton said she doesn't know who authored the e-mail, but she said the claim that the council has been kept in the dark about Cougartown is accurate.
Councilman Dave Knecht said he has no problem with the goals of Cougartown but wishes the council had at least been informed of the plans.
"Unfortunately, it was just an out-of-the-blue surprise for (Dayton), and the rest of the council had no clue," Knecht said. "It's just kind of embarrassing at times when people say, 'What's this? ' — and we don't know.
"(Billings) tends to be secretive on things that are important or not important, big and small. It's not like this was earthshaking, but it's just typical."
Billings said it wasn't his intention to offend the City Council, but he was asked to keep Cougartown "in confidence until it was announced" by the Corporate Alliance, the business networking company behind Cougartown. The group also asked the mayor to sign a proclamation at an announcement event at LaVell Edwards Stadium on Sept. 1.
"I'm not sure why they feel excluded, and I'm sorry they feel excluded," he said. "Someone is just being a little bit overly sensitive, I would say. I feel badly when anyone feels excluded. I think it's important that people rise above petty frustrations, though, and recognize an opportunity to support something good."
E-mail: jpage@desnews.com
