The Daily Town Hall Meeting

About the Program

Category: Civic Education and Public Information (Best in Category)

Year: 2018

How do we get more people involved in issues that affect their county. Traditionally speakers have 3 minutes to present their case before the board at regularly scheduled meetings where they hardly ever get any feedback. Many of those speakers come away frustrated. Several members of our board suggested that there must be a better way for the public to feel that they have a voice that is actually heard by the board. This was the genesis for the program called, “The Daily Town Hall Meeting.” The program began on January 2, 2017. Every weekday morning at 6am, one or two county supervisors conduct an informal town hall meeting at a local restaurant. Participants can order breakfast, something to drink or nothing at all. The meeting is designed to be free flowing, meaning that the participants can discuss anything that is of interest to them. The main job of the supervisors is to listen and let the participants give advice, offer suggestions, vent, rant, ask for something to be on an upcoming agenda or discuss an item already on the agenda. In other words, the subject matter is up to the constituents. The entire meeting lasts for just one hour and ends at 7am. The purpose is to get the public involved with the supervisors on a regular basis and for them to know that they don’t have to wait for two weeks to discuss something with members of the board of supervisors, but they can have a discussion with one or two supervisors at any day of the week. Based on the feedback we get in person and on social media, the concept is working. People now feel that their concerns are getting a hearing and an exchange, with not only the supervisors, but with all who are involved in the meeting.