Public Hearings and Us...

I was just thinking, adding up the hours I spent in public hearings yesterday. Two and a half at the Board of Supervisors, two and a half at the GV Planning Commission. Dark Horse/ The Mine. I was almost ready to feel sorry for myself when I thought about Pascale (only needs 1 name, like Madonna) of YubaNet who was at the BOS from 9 to 1, back at 1:30 to nearly 6 after they came out of closed session, then in Grass Valley at 7 for the mine meeting. Now, that's sticktoitiveness!! I would never leave a meeting early where officials were taking action, but I ducked out of the Planning Commission because

1. They were not voting on anything, just listening and

2. I ran out of memory on my recorder after capturing 28 speakers -- enough to give a good cross section of opinions.

One of the Supervisors told me at the break that yesterday's meeting was so horrible, he would rather pull his fingernails out with pliars.

Why do we do it?

Electeds do it out of a sense of helping, making things better, having a say on their town or their county. Many times it's a thankless job. Do you ever call an elected to say "great job!" More likely, you call when something is wrong.

Reporters do it because most of us are actually kind of intrigued with the process, democracy, and watching history being made. We are recording the history of Nevada County and it's an awesome responsibility.

Comments

[John S]

I hear ya.
It is a tuff day to participate in the Board of Sups meeting (all of it) and then go home for a quick bite to eat and go sit through the City Council meeting. Most of the time I find that I just can't do it.
Thank you Dixie for being there. And Russ for what you do.

[Russ Steele]

Dixie,

A lot of those public meeting are streamed on Comcast. They are a lot easier to take with a glass of wine. Plus, if there is a urge to jump up and strangle the speaker, they are too far away and by time you get to the Council chamber, you will have some time to cool off. Those public servants that sit for hours listening to all this drivel and complaining are saints. I could never do it.