What do you think should be done to improve participation from the public in our governmental affairs? This is the place to post your opinion!!
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This Blog was set up as a "Talk Back" vehicle for Preston residents to communicate their ideas and opinions on the issues of the day concerning the Town of Preston CT. It has been discontinued effective January 24th, 2009 due to lack of use and commentary. As of this date (Jan 24, 2009) new posts are not being accepted.
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4 comments:
I strongly believe that the only way to improve communication between the residents of our Town and the Boards and Commissions is to allow public comment and participation at all meetings. I know that we elect the people who serve on these Boards and Commissions but it does not mean that they should have the sole authority to decide what it best for the Town. They need to let the residents be heard and they need to take the resident's comments into consideration when they make decisions on issues that concern us all. I know that public comment is allowed at public hearings and some Boards do allow for public comment at their regular meetings but there are others that refuse to do so. These Boards and Commissions are making important decisions on issues that do not ever go to a public hearing and therefore the residents' opinions are never heard or considered. Obviously, specific criteria and rules need to be put in place in order for this to work but it needs to be done.
WITH A RECENT PETITION SUBMITTED CALLING FOR PUBLIC COMMENT AT ALL TOWN BOARD, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEE MEETINGS SHOULD IMPROVE COMMUNICATIONS. NOW WE NEED THE SUPPORT OF TOWN RESIDENTS FOR THIS ORDINANCE TO PASS AT THE SPECIAL TOWN MEETING SO ALL RESIDENTS MAY BE HEARD AND NOT JUST A SELECT FEW.
Public comment should definitely improve the communication between the residents and the Town boards and commissions. Hopefully, once public comment is allowed, the board and commission member will actually "listen" to what the residents are saying. How can the people that serve on these boards and commissions adopt rules and regulations and vote on issues without public comment? Without public comment, the decisions are made based on the board members' individual preferences but are those preferences in the best interest of the residents of our town or just in the best interest of the board members? Everyone's life is busy. If the residents of our town take time out of their busy schedules to go to the meetings on issues that concern them, the least the board members can do is to listen to what they have to say. The residents should not be made to feel that they are inconveniencing the board by taking the time to speak their mind. All of the residents care about what happens to our town. Once the residents are allowed to be heard, everyone may be surprised at what good and constructive imput they might receive. Many people may have a lot of good ideas to offer but just don't have enough time to serve on a board or commission. I hope that the residents will take the time to go to the Town Meeting when it gets scheduled to ensure that their voices will be heard.
This is in response to the first posting on "How can we improve communication between residents and our Town Agencies, Boards and Commissions? As of today, February 20th, I have submitted a petition to the Preston Town Clerk with 37 Preston voters' signatures calling for a Special Town Meeting. The question on the petition read as follows: Shall the Town of Preston enact an ordinance requiring Public Comment and Questions for all Boards, Commissions and Committees using Public Comment and Questions guidelines enacted June 21, 2007 for Board of Selectmen Meetings?
I have been an advocate for Public Comment and Questions at Town meetings since I was denied this opportunity approximately one year ago at a Board of Selectmen Meeting. At that time, I circulated a petiton and received 30 signatures; however, the Board of Selectmen decided to allow public comment and questions at their meetings with established guidelines which I support. The Board of Selectmen wrote letters to each of the Boards, Commissions and Committees in Town urging them to allow public comment and questions. I am pleased to say that most of our Boards, Commissions and Committees do allow for public comment and questions; however, a few have still refused. I hope when the date has been posted for this very important Town Meeting, the residents of Preston come and express their opinons and support an ordinance that would require Public Comment and Questions at Town Meetings.
We, the voters of Preston, are the Legislative body for this town and should be heard.
Mike Clancy
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