Is City Council member Rodger Koopman out of line? In recent weeks, Koopman has been very outspoken about his lack of confidence in some of the city's staff.

While Koopman frequently cites the council's botched attempt to ban new garbage disposals as the reason for his lack of faith, in reality he was raising questions about the staff's competency before that.

It may be tempting to write off Koopman's comments as hyperbole, something he has shown a willingness to engage in -- such as his comparing the loss of garbage disposals to American soldiers sacrificing in Iraq.

That would be a mistake.

As Koopman has pointed out, being a Raleigh City Council member is a part-time position that takes up lots of time for little pay. Members must depend on staff, and questioning all staff work could have a harmful effect on that relationship.

If Koopman has a good relationship with staff, he can be a more effective member of the City Council.

That's what voters in District B, which stretches from inside the Beltline to the farthest reaches of northeast Raleigh, expected when they elected him last October.

He might also want to keep this in mind: Just like he has a day job, the city staff does more than just brief public officials.