Gwen Moore
Commissioners defend move to eliminate one monthly meeting
The Lamar County commission stuck to its guns regarding eliminating its second monthly meeting despite concerns voiced by several citizens at its regular meeting Jan. 27
Until the people get their act together and force total accountability, the people are going to remain in the dark.
One thing we all can consider is that we shouldn’t have to pay for something we aren't getting. If enough people think they aren’t getting the representation they deserve from the commissioners, then they shouldn’t have to pay for their pay and benefits.
I guess that would require a petition around the county.
The best ways to fix problems are at the source through the pocket book. Figure out what the commissioners pay and benefits are costing the taxpayers of the county. (I’m guessing somewhere in the 50K – 75K range) (don’t forget the annual week long beach trip has to be included). Divide that cost by all the taxpayers. Subtract that amount from your annual tax. By doing that, taxpayers are still offering to pay for the main crop, but are refusing to pay for the manure spreader.
The people have the power, they just don’t know how to use it.
If you had been at the meeting last night, you would have seen that we made great strides. We had some very good debate and the end result was that the people who spoke, as well as the attendees, understood why we are suggesting the change. As a newly elected Commissioner, I cannot change what has happened in the past but I certainly can influence what happens in this County's future.
Now, give this new board a chance and in six months if you do not think you are "getting what you are paying for" then call and get on the agenda, face the board, hold us accountable and give us your suggestions as to how you think we can do things differently. I have read your blogs for years but have yet to meet you personally but look forward to doing so. I think you have some very good ideas on some issues and I invite you to serve on the Citizens Advisory Panel we discussed last night.
I am, and very much remain, accountable to the citizens of this County. I take the position the citizens entrusted me with very seriously and am, and will continue, to be an honest and responsible steward of that trust. I have the power the citizens of the 4th District "gave me" and will use it wisely.
Thank you and I look forward to meeting you!
Those of us who regularly attend the Board of Commissioner meetings do so because we care deeply about Lamar County. We made it very clear during the open discussion that is the reason we participate. The way business was conducted in the past has left many people, and not just those of us who attend the meetings, very jaded and wary of how business will be conducted in the future. It is unfortunate for this new Board of Commissioners that they must work in this shadow and will have to prove themselves and won’t automatically be given the benefit of the doubt. But, having said that let me make it very clear that I do not question their integrity or their desire to work for the betterment of Lamar County. I will give all of them the benefit of the doubt on that account unless they prove differently.
I was pretty offended by the fact that you chose to quote only a somewhat humorously stated portion of what was a five minute message. So that those who did not attend the meeting might fully understand my full concerns and the seriousness of the content, I have included my comments here.
To The Lamar County Board of Commissioners, 1/27/09
I attended the first Commissioner's meeting of this New Year filled with hope that our County government would finally become responsive to all of its citizens not just cronies and the privileged few. But as the meeting wore on I began to think, New Year – Same ole Same ole – except I was actually using a term that shouldn’t be repeated here. I was thinking this for several reasons, but what I want to address this evening is the call to go to one meeting a month.
I must admit, that when I first saw this on the agenda, I thought – good—one less meeting to have to attend each month. But as the night wore on, I started to get on the fence about the change and by the end of the evening was fully on the side of needing two meetings a month.
I have been told many times ( and not by any of you) when I have questioned why something was done a particular way, that is was because, and I quote, “that’s the way we have always done it around here”. Well, that doesn’t necessarily make it the right way or even the legal way. Too often the citizens of this county are treated like mushrooms – we are kept in the dark and covered with manure (there I did come up with a word I could use in public). We aren’t included in the making of the decisions that affect us. The last time I checked, none of you are mushroom farmers so I am really hopeful that you want to change the old way of doing things and bring the light of day to our governmental processes. However, I am afraid that we run the risk of slipping back into the old way if we go to one meeting a month. There will be too may called meetings with no chance for citizen knowledge of or input into what is happening. And Jay, knowing your stand on going to a County Manager form of government, I can see you saying after several months, that, since the board of Commissioners only meets once a month and much comes up that needs attention in the interim, we should go to a County Manager so that the manager can take care of those things without the vote of the Commissioners. Mr. Patterson this has nothing to do with you, I think you are doing an outstanding job, but you know how I stand on that matter Jay and I think that if they take time to think about it the majority of the county citizens would feel the same. The people making the decisions need to be accountable to the voters.
I know that it is like pulling teeth to get people involved, believe me I know, because I try all the time, but you all owe it to the citizens of this county to do just that … make it easy for people to participate. Too many feel disenfranchised. They don’t become involved, they don’t speak up and sometimes they don’t even vote because they feel that it doesn’t do any good … their ideas are not taken in to consideration and many times the majority’s desires are overruled for the desires of the few. This is a New Year, we have a new board of Commissioners, it is time to have transparency in our government ….we need to know how and why things are done… we need to make some meaningful changes and we need to do it now. Those of us who question the way things are done are often accused of just complaining and not offering any alternatives – well I have a few suggestions and these apply whether you have one or two meetings a month.
1. Form a citizen’s panel made up of at least 3 people from each district that are not now serving and have not served in the last 4 years on other boards. This board should not include past elected officials. Each commissioner should make the appointments from his or her district. Make an effort to include people from all walks of life. This panel should meet with the board of commissioners at least once a month to discuss and have input on issues before the board and on an as needed basis if issues arise between scheduled meetings.
2. Post the Board of Commissioner Agenda in both newspapers at least one week prior to the meeting.
3. Have meaningful discussion at the meetings before voting on any issues. Take time to explain the issue and why you are voting for or against it. Allow citizens, whether they are on the agenda or not, to participate and be heard before the vote.
4. Special called meetings should be held in the evening and should be posted with the agenda on both online newspapers as soon as the need for the meeting arises.
5. You owe it to the citizens of this county to make no changes in the rules and regulations or form of government of this county via the legislature without first having citizen input, preferably by ballot.
This is a new year… we have the opportunity before us to make meaningful change for the future of our county… don’t fall back on doing things the same way that they have always been done, just because it is the same way it has always been done. Do so only if it is in the best interest of all the people of this county…. Let every citizen know that they matter….
Thank you