The Palm Beach Post article on why one commissioner wants longer meetings. The Post also has a poll on this subject.
You know, it's not the length of the meeting that is the problem. What the problem is here is not enough information is coming before the commission and the public for discussion. Many items are placed on the Consent Agenda to pass quickly, i.e, a refuse heavy equipment truck for $247,978. Staff is making many of the decisions behind closed doors--think demolition of shuffleboard courts. Perhaps the majority commission knows of these decisions and is informed in their one-on-one meetings with the city manager but many times the minority is kept in the dark. Also, the public only gets two minutes to speak and even that's too long for some on this dais.
I would rather see a poll asking the residents if they felt this commission and staff were transparent (ITN?) and if they felt that important issues, especially those affecting the purse strings, should come before the public.
Commissioner comments should return to the end of the meetings where they were (so they could comment on Our comments & their activities) and the chair should respect ALL comments/opinions, allow them w/o her 'PERSONAL REBUTTAL" about what she declares is the truth or a lie. Her time taken to 'correct US' as if we were kids is wearing thin w/the 'canned' laugh and fake smile after she beats ya up! It's obvious she thinks she is smarter than US and her own words are proving her the 'naive one'!
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