Last week I attended the Board of Supervisor's meeting because the agenda included an item about Sammies Friends running our local animal shelter. There were about 60 people in the audience; most were there for a particular item that interested them -- kind of why I was there. As I sat in the audience looking around, I wondered, "Where are all the gadflys"?
BTW, a gadfly is someone who regularly attends government meetings. Some are quiet; others quite vocal; but all gadflys know they're going to see a fun show and they get hooked.
Steve Enos would be an example of a gadfly when it comes to the Grass Valley City Council. And while I'm sure he's a thorn in their sides, he often brings up good, well-researched points about items on -- and off -- the City Council agenda.
Because the Board of Supervisors wield such enormous power, it would be helpful for citizens to attend their meetings. The only media there day in and day out would be Pascale of YubaNet. She also faithfully attends both city council meetings, in Grass Valley and Nevada City.
Citizen participation in government is a pet issue of mine. I think an informed citizenry makes for a better community. If you have some time, get out there and see how the process works. After all, it's your government!
You can also see the BOS meetings on cable channel 17, and via online streaming. For information about the Granicus service (which should eventually -- I believe -- cover all three city councils as well as the BOS), see this webpage:
http://new.mynevadacounty.com/whatsnews/index.cfm?ccs=154&cs=4204
Posted by: Don Pelton | January 31, 2010 at 12:35 PM