A week ago we threw in with the idea of the Allen County Commission becoming a body of five, rather than the three it has been perhaps since the countys founding.
With a proliferation of issues dealing with extraordinary expenditures, brought about by a great increase in assessed valuation from Enbridges pipeline and pumping station construction and a subsequently robust reserve fund, it is appropriate for more minds to be put to the task of decision-making.
In the same vein, the constituents would be better served if commission meeting were at a time more convenient for constituents to attend.
For many moons the Iola commission, then of three members, met on Tuesday afternoons. When voters rejected a five-person council and the legal default was eight members, meetings were switched to evenings. The result has been much more public comment.
The same likely would be true for the county.
Weekly sessions starting at 8:30 on Tuesday mornings do not lend themselves to public participation.
When an issue of far-reaching effect comes before commissioners, public attendance bumps up but normally those having a say on whatever make a point of being on the agenda, often department heads or others with connections to the county governing process. A few people filter in from time to time, usually retirees or someone whose job responsibilities dont interfere.
Having meetings in the evening would open the door to residents whose work schedules prevent their participation, the lions share of residents.
Will attendance at meetings soar?
Maybe not. But giving any and all who want to comment a better chance is what democracy is meant to ensure, so they may advance thoughts and ideas, pro or con.
When the planning commission meets, on an occasional Thursday evening, it is not uncommon for a sizable crowd to arrive, and few are bashful about making known their concerns or trumpeting accolades.
Should it be any different for a weekly get-together of county commissioners, whose reach covers what occurs in about 530 square miles and well over 1,000 miles of roads, not to mention all else within a number of departments and relations with municipalities.
A second, and very important, reason to move commission meetings to an evening venue is it would open the door for more candidates to seek seats.
As it is only retirees or someone in the work-a-day world who has a considerate employer or is self-employed may toss his or her hat atop a ballot box at election time.
To be quite truthful, that may be the better reason to have meetings at a convenient time, to swell the pool of potential candidates.
Does it not tell us something when the county commission is the only local governing body not those of schools, the college or cities that meets during a time when many constitutions are unable to attend.
It is past time when that should change.
Bob Johnson
