KC,
Its fruitless to go to a CC council meeting and say anything to this collection of Council members. You should seriously consider getting involved in making fundamental changes to the system and process, to reduce the effect of outside money, PAC's influence and Career local politicians beholded to those keeping them in office.
The solutions to the above issue are simply creating term limits, creations of Districts and requiring a winning candidate to get 50% plus 1 votes to get elected.
Creating Districts so there are approximately 7500 homes that Candidates would have to engage and campaign too would significantly reduce the effects of the double large signs throughout town and PACs influence since a serious informed candidate, could go door to door and inform voters of the issues. Getting more residents involved and informed, will always result in electing candidates who more accurately reflect the will of the informed voters.
The incumbents know this and that's why they wont change the system, so they can keep their seats!
That's why, I believe they need to be recalled and replaced by a collection of altruistic Citizens who are there simply to implement a better system for all of us! Once the new system is in place, THEN we can have citywide elections again with Districts.
Make no mistake about it, the "IN" crowd wont want to give up their power and control and will stoop to almost anything to avoid this! They will be twisting things and trying to create doubt, so they don't loose their benefits.
Im open minded and tolerant of others perspectives and will welcome anyone who can explain why the current system is better than what I proposed. Having more informed and engaged citizens will always be better for our community.