Night Meetings May Again Be On The Horizon

The County Board is forming an advisory committee to look again at night meetings.  As you might recall, I made a motion from the floor last spring to change the meeting times from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., and my motion fell just 2 votes short. 

This time, a committee composed of Supervisor Kelling, Supervisor Otten, Supervisor Heidtke, County Clerk Ashley Reichert, and myself will review this issue.  My hope is that we can work as a team to put forward a proposal that will win even stronger board support and ultimately be successful in changing our meeting times to increase public accessibility. 

I firmly believe that it is right and best to hold meetings when the broadest spectrum of the community can attend, rather than holding meetings at times when only a smaller portion of the community can attend without taking time off from work.  With the reliever route, I spoke with several concerned citizens who wanted their voice heard, but couldn't make it to the morning meetings due to work conflicts.

Our first meeting is April 10, at 7:00 a.m.  The irony of meeting at 7 in the morning to talk about night meetings is not lost on me.