City council meetings and school board meetings are conducted by fixed sets of rules developed by the boards and councils themselves. Mostly those rules are carried over from previous administrations and modified by vote as new administrations take over.
In other towns I have lived in, mostly the city council has had similar rules but in comparison to Creswell City Council and Creswell School Board the meetings were more relaxed and they encourage citizens involvement.
Our council/board allow three-minute presentations, the subject matter of which must be approved by the mayor. However there is very seldom, practically never any discussion between council and citizen, no questions or replies unless the mayor approves.
When a matter which is on the agenda is debated by council or board members, we can’t offer any input or question.
We elect councils and boards to represent us and they do, but there are many citizens who are willing and anxious to help by giving information during debate. That is discouraged.
No wonder people don’t bother to attend meetings.
Another quite unrelated item to the above relates to the wonderful St. Patrick’s Day dinner prepared and served at the Masonic Lodge Hall on Saturday, March 17. Corned beef and cabbage with all the fixings was the appropriate menu and it was truly great. Those of you that neglected to attend really missed out on a great meal served by members of the Eastern Star.
I believe it is important that we participate in these local activities, which demonstrate our civic pride. The Chronicle publishes notices of activities and meetings whenever they are scheduled.
