Initially I wasn't moved by the fact the City Council moved the public comment section of council meetings. I wasn't moved because selfishly I welcomed the change since it will allow me to again have the opportunity to speak when I am overwhelmed and need to voice my concerns.

As it is now, due to my schedule, I no longer can attend the first half of the council session and will miss the public speaking on matters not on the agenda. But with the change, if I miss speaking regarding an item on the agenda I can now attend and speak at the end of the session. If I am overwhelmed with a concern not on the agenda I can now make it in time to have a voice.

But to not be selfish and since I don't view the concerns I have as more pressing than the concerns of others who attend; I am moved to write this opinion piece.

I think moving the public comment section to the end of the agenda is quite unfair and disrespects the people elected officials often use to build their own political careers.

The decision should be based on what's good for the people and not on what's convenient for the council. A council who by the way is paid to sit through the sessions while those who come out and speak are often not paid to do so.

I realize we can't please all the people all the time. But the decision to move the public comment section should be based on what's good for a majority of the people that the eight council members and the Mayor of the City are elected to represent. If it's best for the majority of the people to attend at the beginning then public comment should be first.

Lots of us can't watch the session on cable. Some of us can't afford cable. Lots of us can't watch the session or email from the Internet. Many of us don't have computers or Internet.

Some of us rely on the news media to inform us on what occurs at council sessions. Some of us, plain ordinary common folks, aren't always seen by the news media when special interest and some folks with titles appear as some in the media, just like some elected into office, are more impressed with special interest and titles. We have to come out and let the elected officials see us.

Many of us have to actually attend the sessions to actually see and learn how the city is reacting or not reacting to the needs of the people; especially the needy or those in the city in pain, suffering and overlooked by some of our elected officials.

Some don't have to attend to be seen and heard. And then their are some of us who really want to know what is occurring in the city or make a difference whether slight or major we have to actually be in attendance at council sessions. In this city closed mouths may not get fed.

Some of us can't rely on reporters in the streets narrowing down their stories on all of our concerns, some of our worries, suggestions or giving all of us a voice.

Honestly, it appears in Sacramento many city leaders aren't showing concern for the people of the city but appear to show concern for the media. It appears some elected officials don't want the media to portray them in a negative light. They don't appear afraid or us- the little folks- they appear afraid of the media and how it can ruin or promote their political career.

My guess is if the media were to only attend at the end of the city session then the public comment would still be first on the city council session agenda.

Heck, if we want the sessions to not last so long it's not the public who should be given less time to speak but the Mayor and Council should be given less time on matters where the media shows up in full force regarding a specific agenda.

It often appears the Mayor and Council aren't watching us- the little guy- they appear to be watching the media.

It appears just as we- the people- want to be seen by the elected officials sworn into office to represent us, let's keep it real, many of those elected officials aren't looking at us, they look and want to be looked at by the media.

If we have concerns, pain, frustration, suggestions we should do our best to attend council sessions no matter when the public comment is put on the agenda. Some of our pain will probably never be put on a city agenda. But out of sight is out of mind.

If at first we don't succeed in letting our voices, struggles, pain be heard then we should by all means try and try again- and attend until we are seen and heard and solutions are in play.

Personally I don't feel enough has been done on issues I attend the council to speak of. But in attending I have found a peace and sometimes a sense of satisfaction looking in the eyes of those I question, disagree with or that I am impressed with. Most of all in attending I've found a sense of hope that change will come. Whether that change is in the council or in we the people I see hope.

Many of us need to see hope when we see so little change and surrounded by so much paiin.

If I were not able to have a voice I would drown in the sorrow and pain that I am surrounded by as many of us will live and prematurely die in a city neglectful of all of our needs.

Whether I am given time at the beginning or the end of the session whether or not I am given three minutes or two minutes the fact is for a moment I stood, straight and firm as tremendous pain exits from my gut and out of my mouth to fill out into a room. And in that moment I don't see the council. I don't see the media. I see by the Grace of God,--HOPE.

But sadly, let's keep it real, we in Sacramento who have concerns shouldn't feel concerned of when we are allowed to bring public comment to our elected officials who are put into office to represent us. We should feel concern of the fact that many of our elected officials in attempts to promote their political careers appear more concerned with how the media will promote them.

We should be concerned of elected officials who appear to not work for us but work to impress the media.

Heck, it appears often in Sacramento some of us shouldn't even attend council sessions to get the attention of the council but attend to get the attention of the media. Perhaps we need to meet with reporters verses meeting with elected officials.

Sadly, if we get the attention of the media we'll find we'll have the attention of the Mayor and Council.

My suggestion and I am being sarcastic and keeping it real, if you have a great concern and can't seem to find the ear of your council member or our mayor then my suggestion would be write about it, get the attention of the media and let your voice be heard.

We are in a city with elected officials not fearful of the City residents but fearful of the media. Sadly, whether we speak at the beginning or the end of council session it probably makes little difference to some elected officials.

The difference to the Mayor and some within the council is where the voice is coming from and if it comes from the media then your voice appears to be heard. Heck, the media can write of events occurring in other cities and other states and our Mayor and council will address it.

Folks, living in this city can attend our city council sessions and their voices, cries, frustration, suggestions will be overlooked if the media won't see them first .

But the priority of the city should always be the everyday common folks electing representatives into office. Our voices are not always on the agenda, due to special interest, therefore public comments should always come first.

After all it is many of us who will be overshadowed by the special interest politically motivated matters on the agenda of a Mayor and some within the council attempting to build their careers off the backs of the people suffering and in pain in our city.

I love the public comment of the Council Session. I love seeing real people with real concerns take a stand. In fact it is the most valued aspect of the Council session and whether or not I can personally attend, it should definitely be first on the agenda.

If elected officials are going to build their careers off our pain and struggles then we certainly should be given the opportunity to feel valued, welcomed, to voice our concerns first at city council sessions.