SNOW HILL– The Worcester County Commissioners this week voted 5-2 to find a way to work public comments into their meetings.
While some expressed interest in one-on-one communication with constituents rather than public comments during meetings, the majority of the commissioners voted to develop a method to accept public comment going forward.
“I think it’s time we institute a vehicle for public comment,” Commissioner Joe Mitrecic said. “I think it’s important our constituency feel they’re being heard.”
When it came time for comments from the commissioners at the end of Tuesday’s meeting, Mitrecic referenced a recent newspaper editorial that highlighted the fact that the commissioners in Worcester County were one of the few local bodies that didn’t accept public comment during public meetings. Mitrecic said he wanted to see that change and made a motion to find a way to incorporate public comments into meetings.
Commissioner Ted Elder agreed and said that government officials had a duty to listen to their constituents. He said that even when the commissioners were required to host public hearings on certain topics it seemed as if their minds were already made up and they didn’t take the comments that were received into account.’More