Editorial by Matt Marquardt –
Anyone who has ever read NorthIowaToday.com knows that we never play favorites, and that this publication calls ’em like we see ’em. And we’ve been justifiably critical, constructively, of the narrowed process by which, of late, citizens can obtain information and share their concerns with those elected to represent all of us.
At the most recent meeting [Sept. 11, 2012] of the Cerro Gordo county Board of Supervisors, chairman Bob Amosson opened the session with a statement which we believe was overly harsh – that is; at first. However, in keeping with the spirit of giving credit where credit is due, Mr. Amosson DID go out of his way to remind everyone that the general public has the right to attend their meetings and, under the little-known provison of Correspondence and Communications, to speak on items and issues which aren’t on the agenda.
“Correspondence and communications, that’s when anybody who wants to speak, who doesn’t have anything on the agenda, we’ll give them a chance” to speak on whatever issues concern them.
Amosson added that, “I think the people who’ve come here” to the meetings, including “the people that I represent in my district, I’ve never had a problem with any of them” coming to meetings, and speaking on whatever issues they want to talk about.
Fair enough, sir.
Notwithstanding our previous disagreements with the Supervisors and various differences we’ve had with them, I commend Mr. Amosson for his admirable efforts to remind the general public of its right – everyone’s right – to go before the Board of Supervisors’ meetings, and raise whatever issue, or issues, including non-agenda items, catches their fancy.
Well done, Mr. Amosson.
It might depend on how many show up to the meeting on Tuesday. If 30 herd in there, may be the supers will back track. But from what I know of Amosson, he is not a indian giver.
Are you kidding? Do you realize what would happen if the Supervisors reneged on what their chairperson told the public? I follow politics and work in local government, and I know these people. Trust me, they’re not going there!
Grampa I know Urdahl and I knew his old man. I know all 3 of them supervisers and I say Bob G is absulutly right, I bet dollars to donuts Jay been saying to Amossen hey you got to take this one back.
It’s good to see this fine example of democracy in action. Marquardt can sometimes be contentious, but he asks probing questions that get to the heart of things. Mr. Amosson couldn’t have been more forthright, and the video makes it clear that our supervisor meant what he said. I might add that whoever Bob G is on this thread, he doesn’t know Bob Amosson very well. I have known him a long time, and when he says something, he means it.
Your right you bet Jay don’t care for what Bob said at that meeting last week, no kidding. What would not suprise me if Urdal is already bugging Amossen to back track on this one, if he try to, I sure hope N.I.T. goes after them for being hypercrits.
Amosson did do the right thing, and Markward is nice to commend him. But why didn’t the other local news like KIMT, KGLO, and Globe write something about Amosson’s statement? 3 guesses, people.
Till I read this I didn’t much care for Amosson, we always put him in the same barrel with Urdahl. I bet Jay dont like what Amosson done, he probly is pissed that Amosson done this. But good for Bob, he done the right thing. Sad thing though in a way because I bet nobody starts showing up at them meetings even tho Amosson says there welcome to come.
It’s too bad we have to commend our elected officials for doing their jobs. We need to continue to elect officials like Mr. Amosson and reject those who want make policy without public input. Vote out Urdahl and Dougherty who are against a representative government. This is our community, they work for us!
I must applaud the welcome, even-handed manner in which NorthIowaToday has handled this. I watched the video, and Mr. Marquardt was the one who raised the issue of citizen involvement in these BOS meetings. It’s nice to see news media give its readers something positive about their government, and the ones we elect to run it.
It’s refreshing to read in local media an editorial that not only tells it like it is, but which also has the journalistic ethics to credit the actions of office holders whose acts are genuinely in the public interest.
This is just great. Shows Supervisor Amosson is a man of real integrity. It’s a shame no one attends these meetings, though.
“The Honorable” — come on — he is just a supervisor !
Glad to see you give credit where it’s due. Also glad to see a politician open up & admit that gov’t is not a private country club.