Huh? It is called "freedom of choice"....I cannot think of  a better representation of democracy at work than an open solicitation for feedback.  If you care you will find a way to give your input. 

So you are suggesting people who are "not oriented to polictics or newspapers"(or apparently over 75 scheduled meetings or going online) are eagerly waiting to give their input...how? Telephone?(landline?) ROFL

I guess as per effort to get feedback, "tenfold" is not good enough for you? From the article: “That’s literally tenfold anything I have seen any other community do,” says Ron Holifield, CEO of Strategic Government Resources, the Keller, Texas-based company helping the city find the right person. 

Now if you do not believe the feedback will be taken seriously(not sure how using a "professional polling" company would guarantee that either), that is one thing but the OPPORTUNITY is available for input.

Otherwise, your post is a brilliantly written defense of "laziness."