SENATUS POPULUSQUE ROMANUM
Open SENATE meeting 8APR2018
Present:
Emperor Stephanus Galtier
Senators: Booker Beningborough, Janu Shimada Vindelici, Damon Collinwood Leone Elen, Aurelius Inside-Romanov-Phoenix, Cato Leone Elen, Markus Vindelici, Miles Maximus, Tybalt Caproni, Gaius Antigos, Nero Creticus Antonius Drakon, RegulusAntius Rufus
Citizens: Elavor, Asharr Panius, Fidelis Vindelici, Strymon O Aemilius Parthicus, Zander Fabio Antonius, candyboy, Rugger, Sebastos Tharros Vindelici, Baal Serafin, Bambi Panius Serafin, Ptolemy Confero Antonius, Milo Antonius, Gaius Cilnius Maecenas Octavian, Jacob Iceheart, Nico, Ter, Alexi Inside-Romanov-Phoenix, Popov, Quinttin, Joris Africanus, GaryMike Maximus, Soydan Maximus, Pax Magnus Pompeius. Petrus Gnaeus Pompeius, duracuir, Damion Drakon Antonius, Cassius Parthicus Archer, John Noor, Silpvid
Proxies: Zarek Antonius for for Marcus Antonius, Twiztid Antonius Drakon for Stef Antonius, Strymon Parthicus for Rad Parthicus
I. SENATE CHANGES
Senator Wolf and Senator Unca's resignations from the Senate. The Emperor also announced the appointments of Damon Collinwood Elen and Aurelius Inside-Romanov-Phoenix as new Senators.
Emperor Stephanus Galtier: First, Congrats to Damon Collinwood Elen and Aurelius Inside-Romanov-Phoenix as our newest Senators. They both are very active in Romanum and contribute mightily and time and treasure. I want to say a few things about Wolf Confero and Uncasnow. As most of you know, Wolf and I were close friends in SL and RL. You also know Wolf was a strong assertive leader. That rubbed a few people the wrong way but I knew Wolf's heart was always in the right place. He cared deeply about Romanum and its people. He was a great builder too. He helped me beyond measure. When he told me he needed a break from Romanum and SL for personal reasons, I was sad but as with anyone, especially someone who sacrificed so much for Romanum, I had to respect his RL needs. So I had no choice but to accept his decision to leave Romanum behind. He was a real force here for nearly 4 years and I will deeply miss him and Uncasnow. I wish them both the very best in their lives and we, as a community, as a family, will never forget them.
Janu Shimada Vindelici: I would like to add my tribute. Once we got to know each other Wolf and I both knew we worked for the good of Romanum. I valued his support, and occasionally as a good listener when I needed to scream. I miss him.
II. TRIBUNE ELECTIONS UPDATE
Emperor Stephanus Galtier: I want to say how incredibly pleased I am with the enthusiasm of the Tribune election. I am thrilled we have 11 candidates. I am thrilled they all campaigned. I am thrilled many have placed their votes. Every citizen has until April 15 to cast their 10 votes in total. You can cast all 10 votes for one candidate or spread your votes across several candidates. The Tribune was added as a voice closer to the people. We are trying this to see how it works. I am hopeful it will work once the 10 seats are filled. The Tribunes of the People will organize. They will elect a leader for themselves. They will decide when to meet and where and I wish them much success as they add their voices to the governance of Romanum.
Asharr Panius: I just wonder why 10 are needed to help govern the plebs, I would have thought only 4 or 5.
Emperor Stephanus Galtier: We just arbitrarily chose that number. We will see how it works this year.
Markus Vindelici: I agree with Asharr, we have 18 senators and soon 10 tribunes - means 28 dignitaries - that sounds quite ineffective to me. My 2nd point is - you said the tribuni are closer to the people – aren’t the senators already?
Rugger: I commend the Emperor on the number of 10. This means, if an unscrupulous group, of which I’m sure there are none, wanted to gain control of the Tribune they would have too field six candidates and split their votes accordingly, whereas if there were only three tribunes, for example, only two would gain control. I think 10 is a wise and clever choice.
Gaius Antigos: The senators can never be the voice of the people. They present a different class. They never spoke for the people either. It was high time that Romanum has a voice for the people. I am very glad it finally happens. And I would even say 10 is not enough.
Emperor Stephanus Galtier: First, I always appreciate constructive comments and questions. In the real ancient Rome the Tribune of the Plebs predate the Imperial period of the Emperors. In fact, they had more power, I believe, than the Senate. So we are not following history exactly. But our goal is to allow those not eligible to be a leader in the legislature, namely land owners in the Senate, to also have a chance. So that is what we mean by "closer to the people"? Ordinary citizens, as opposed to the upper class Patricians. But, Romanum, for the first time has established a formal constitution. And our legislative bodies have a right to submit proposals for changes to that constitution in the amendment process. So it is my hope that is what happens, not only regarding the Tribune and Senate, but also how we elect the Tribune.
ƤЄƬƦƲƧ ƓƝƛЄƲƧ ƤƠMƤЄƖƲƧ: Question: We have 18 senators and soon 10 Tribunes. Are there actually still citizens in Rome who are here still active in Rome are about to be ruled now?
Markus Vindelici: We cannot copy and paste RL Rome to SL Romanum unless we want to have about 600 Senators most of them corrupt and fat. Romanum does not have 1 million citizens. The other difference is, I am sure almost every senator here doesn’t feel like being elite but equal to the citizen so I don’t get the point "being closer to the people" Possibly there should be an election for the Senators too - like in RL Romanum.
Sεвαѕтσѕ Tнαяяσѕ Vιиdεlιcι: With all my respect, emperor, would not it be reasonable to have a minimum amount of senators and have more efficiency? And what do all these senators do? Decoration?
Cato Leone Elen: If there is more than one member, of a given family, a Senator; is it still required to have a proxy? (Considering the family IS then still represented.)
Emperor Stephanus Galtier: Yes, Senators are not families, they are individuals. So, every Senator absent should have a proxy.
Zarek Antonius: With all due respect (and slightly OOC) - I have been in SL for almost 9 years, many of them here in Romanum. I am not a Senator but that does not preclude me from RP-ing here. I have created a RP position for myself and have established myself in my Family. YOU dictate your RP here in SL, not a title.
Joris Africanus: While I am not a senator, and have no right to speak here, I would like to address the comments from a few of the members. The Empire has thrived for eight years under the wise guidance of Stephanus Caesar, and I feel that the number of Senators He has established has worked quite well all this time. As to the matter of "efficiency", I would like to point out that neither the Senators nor the group for the plebs will make any demands on the public purse.
Elavor: No system is perfect. The constitution has been amended to put into place two bodies. One elected by the people and the other appointed by the Emperor. We must accept things as they currently are even if they have warts. It will be for the elected body of the Tribune to suggest amendments of the constitution to the Senate and may I suggest we abide by that and allow the other topics to be discussed.
ƤЄƬƦƲƧ ƓƝƛЄƲƧ ƤƠMƤЄƖƲƧ: I will repeat it again. There is a discrepancy to the governing and governing. Not like Cato said 600 citizens who are almost never there, so irreversible. Not even for celebrations. One could also say a bloated government apparatus
Ter: I propose you free the slaves, then you people to govern.
III. CITY ACTIVITIES
Janu Shimada Vindelici: First, we wish to record our thanks to all who participated in the Olympics: competitors, audiences, sponsors, hosts, and organisers of other events who worked with our tight schedule. I will publish a full list of winners after the meeting. Particular thanks to our Emperor for his support. Second, we are pleased to announce the following, as additional events co-ordinators: ƤЄƬƦƲƧ ƓƝƛЄƲƧ ƤƠMƤЄƖƲƧ (pietro.howlett), Ibo (ibo1982), Ras Parthicus (rhodes.rasmuson), Zαηժεr Aɳƚσɳιυʂ Hαժriαηνѕ (zanderzak). Also as consultees: Popov (popov.huldschinsky), Tybalt Caproni. We are looking at possible forthcoming events. Dance promoters may like to tie in with these themes. May - Festival of Flora, goddess of flowers. July – Neptunalia. September - Ceres Festival of harvest. October - Diana hunting festival. Including hunting contest, and hunt ball. November - Mr Romanum. December – Saturnalia.
Markus Vindelici: There will be a garden contest for the Festival of Flora. An independent jury will evaluate the private gardens that have been registered for the contest. The winner of the contests will be allowed to organize a large garden party a week later, DJs, decors etc. will be provided. If you want to apply with your garden, you can do it now, simply by NC to one of the Coordinators. The winner will be announced at the beginning of May, application deadline is April 28th.
RegulusAntius Rufus: I can only speak for myself but I think Markus and Janu are amazing for the events they plan and the organization the display in conducting the events. We all owe them our gratitude.
IV. CITY EXPANSION
Emperor Stephanus Galtier: Candyboy’s Animal Park is being built again, this time in Romanum VI by Senator Cato. He has opened up sponsorship of animals.
Cato Leone Elen: As stated, sponsorships still available. See unreserved boxes at the welcome center and send me a note. There are also 7 ad boards, 2 offices, and 7 shop rentals available for selling and advertising breedables ONLY. The offices may be used as desired (with-in reason).
Emperor Stephanus Galtier: Our current Romanum Sim owner of the Antonius estate, Romanum VII, Sƚҽϝ Eɳԃɾιαɠσ Aɳƚσɳιυʂ Dɾαƙσɳ (stefanoii), has decided to purchase a Homestead. It is called Romanum XI and is located east of Romanum V. Luca and Yago are renting the homestead for their family.
Asharr Panius: I just wish to confirm that with the lag already in the empire you are opening up breedables and we can now pack stores with breedable pets to sell within the empire also will there be breedable auctions happening ?
Cato Leone Elen: The lag is contained to Romanum VI. The animal sales shops are unbirthed animals and thus no lag. Auctions may be held on zoo grounds, again with no lag effect in the other sims.
Asharr Panius: As a seller why would I want to try and sell unbirthed animals. How would I know if I was selling a rare one-off one?
Cato Leone Elen: To control lag, no birthed animal, they are clearly labelled with all info. But in auctions, yes, birthed. Just doing what is needed, in general, to control Lag
V. BUSINESS FROM THE FLOOR
Emperor Stephanus Galtier: Booker has a difficult job leading these meetings and I greatly appreciate his leadership. Thank you Booker.
Cato Leone Elen: There is a proposed & planned visit from the Emperor to the Provence of Karuvium planned for the First Saturday in July. I, if able, need a few legionaries or other / guards for his protection during this visit. Please contact me at your earliest convenience in the next few weeks.
Janu Shimada Vindelici: I suggest Cato contacts the General or Legatus Markus
Tybalt Caproni: I have something which I hope does not erupt into unpleasantness or weird misconceptions, but I have something to say. Luca & Yago have recently picked up & added the name Fabio & Gens Fabio which is very similar - essentially the same thing - as my family name "House of FABIUS". It was established in Romanum on 3/24/13. I do not want to create a conflict with Luca or Yago as they are 2 of my good Friends & supporters but this opens up confusion & concerns with my family & I want it publicly clarified & Stated. I have purposely chosen not to push or promote my family name in deference to Romanum Titles & Groups. Ironically, I have recently been considering hyphenating for clarity & officially changing it to a hyphenated Caproni name for visibility, which might be a solution for an official name, in order to have less confusion with Luca and Yago’s newly added family name. I do not think a lack of awareness or consideration on Luca or Yago’s part creates a necessity on my part to alter my family group in anyway. Nor am I willing to adjust my RP names, house graphics & lands & family privacy preferences in reaction to their choice of the very similar Name. I will most likely change a few things to avoid direct confusion with their new name as it is a big concern of me & my family members and avoid further confusion.
Nҽɾσ Cɾҽƚιƈυʂ Aɳƚσɳιυʂ Dɾαƙσɳ: I wanted to add that they are a branch of the Antonius and that is in their tag. But it raises a bigger question. There have been other Antonius from time to time and recently a new Scipio family was announced although one already exists. So if it is a bigger issue we will want to look at it more thoroughly.
PTOLEMY CONFERO ANTONIUS: I would suggest what was called a stirp, a branch of the name. Fabiianus, or some such. Stirps were very common in ancient Rome.
Asharr Panius: Why not have a person who moderates both family names and updates the web site for the Houses. The families register with them so there is no confusion.
Emperor Stephanus Galtier: I wanted to also acknowledge another faithful servant to these meetings, Ixion, our Senate scribe.
Zarek Antonius: I believe this was mentioned in a previous meeting but the Antonii have a new villa on the Isle of Capri (our Family Sim East of Pompeii). The private Family rooms are protected by guards (i.e., security) but otherwise, our home is open for all to visit. We plan to have a Villa warming event sometime in the near future.
Joris Africanus: May one request that those here who feel compelled to attend to their carnal needs and substance addictions refrain from informing the rest of us about it? Thank you.
Next Senate meeting will take place on Sunday, May 20 at 11am SLT.
Gratitude,
Ixion Parthicus Ἰξίων Παρθικος
Senate Scribe