Online or in-person, public weighs in on public meetings

Survey still available to take

 

Last updated 11/10/2020 at 9:05am



Locals want to attend public meetings both online and in person, recognizing the benefits and drawbacks of each, a quick survey of readers over the last several days seems to indicate. 

A short survey posted in The Star online Thursday asked respondents what they thought of public meetings, such as school board and city council meetings, being held online, and how those compare to meetings held in person.

The survey only received 18 responses, but those responses show a variety of perspectives, with only one respondent saying they haven’t attended a meeting before. 

Asked if they were more likely to attend a meeting online through a program such as Zoom, or in person, 11 respondents said they were more likely to attend online, and seven said in person.

Considering the survey was held online, the respondents are more likely to be computer savvy, which could have an effect on the results.

Many of the comments received expressed that in-person meetings shouldn’t resume until the COVID-19 pandemic is over. 

“Safety first,” one comment reads. “When it is safe we can have public meetings. Until then, I think there should be notices and info on zoom public meetings in paper and posted at Post Office, etc.”

Others wrote of the value of online meetings.

“All public meetings should be accessible online,” one respondent wrote. “We know how, the internet is here and has been for decades. The next time someone whines that nobody attends their meeting, they should make it accessible. (And maybe make it meaningful, post some learning targets, do formative assessments, etc.)”

Another comment reads: “I like the ability to have access to video meeting also. Especially when out of town!”

“Online is more convenient and there is always room,” another comment reads. “In person in these times are dangerous for many.”

One person called the online meetings “easier and safer.” 

“There are a couple of issues at play,” one comment reads. “In person meetings allow real person contact, important to our being. Online meet ups allow a convenience and speed.”

Convenience is a top point for online meetings, with one commenter saying that “since a lot of the public meetings happen around dinner time, it’s nice to be able to log in while cooking instead of having to postpone a daily routine to fit the meeting in.”

Some comments expressed a desire for more public input at the meetings, both online and in person. 

“There needs to be more time and opportunity for people to speak up and ask questions,” one comment reads. “There are many opportunities missed for valuable input in the moment when people are not allowed to speak unless they have been put on an agenda for public comment.”

Most local public meetings allow for public comments before getting to “old business” and “new business’’ on the agenda, with only Coulee Dam’s council meetings regularly allowing for public comment at the end of the meeting as well as the beginning. 

Public comment isn’t allowed during old or new business agenda items, which is when a board or council is discussing those issues publicly, but only among themselves. 

“I find that unless strong procedures are controlled, the ‘anti’ attendees tend to ramrod the discussion and little important discussion takes place,” one comment reads.

Several people do prefer in-person meetings, with one person calling in-person meetings “100 times better.”

“Meetings held in person, encourage a real sense of community and real time communication,” one comment reads. “Zoom Meetings lack personal interaction.”

“I would prefer in person meetings but would not attend one until the Covid situation is under control,” another wrote.

In Washington state, in-person public meetings have not been allowed to take place during the COVID-19 pandemic, which necessitates meetings being held electronically online or by phone. 

Our online survey is still live until next Monday. If you’d like to weigh in, find it at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/8F7B3XS

 

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