Night meetings: Commissioners make their first effort at offering more access

It is a little bit disappointing that so few people turned out for the commissioners' first evening meeting, but it is not all that surprising.

Evening meetings are a nice idea, in theory, but when it comes to getting people to attend, the same old problems crop up.

Today's parents are busy and have to juggle a lot of balls, especially now that the new school year has started. Finding extra time for another meeting is sometimes just not possible.

The suggestion for the meeting was made to encourage the public to come to the commission directly with their concerns and to ask questions they might not otherwise have had the opportunity to ask.

There is going to be another meeting soon, this time at Southern Wayne High School. And those who have concerns or questions should take this chance to share them with their county leaders.

And contrary to one commissioner's concerns that the meetings were not being held in the commission meeting rooms because there might not be radio or television coverage, these meetings should be held out in the community, where it is convenient for people to attend.

Reality is, these meetings are meant to provide easier access for residents -- and the best way to do that is to keep them close to home.

Unless, of course, this is more about publicity than accessibility.

Published in Editorials on August 28, 2012 11:04 AM