Thursday, September 25, 2008

Public Meeting about County/Citizens Communication

A well attended public meeting was held at Unitarian Church last night. In attendance were Commissioner Campos, in-coming commissioners Kathy Holian and Liz Stefanics, Planning Director, Jack Kolkmeyer, Public Information Officer, Stephen Ulibarri, many county staff and citizens. The following are some highlights from the meeting:

  • Rapid information, such as website updates with timely information.
  • Disjunctures in communication.
  • How to let public officials know what citizens are thinking. Public input.
  • Bottoms up public participation and how to meaningful bring in the more citizens.
  • Projects to not be ad hoc and designed behind closed door, then with public comments taken afterwards.
  • Citizens' perception that there is too much access by lobbyists, etc.
  • A call for public participation guidelines or ordinance.
  • Clear wording from the county about issues.
  • Transparency.
  • The possibility of setting up citizens boards with standing and with the ability to draft ordinances, such as a Citizens Energy Board.

The meeting was one of discussion that did not lead to resolutions per se. Many seemed to agree that two-way communication will take a lot of work and there would need to be more meetings.

KSFR reporters attended the meeting and interviewed the organizers, Paul White and Katherine Andrews. If there is a report on podcast, it will be posted later.

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