Constituents rely on accurate and timely information about commissioners meetings

To the editor:

I was very confused by the recent articles in The Western News about the county commissioner’s meetings, in specific the discussion about voting procedures. They appeared to contradict each other. This prompted me to look up the meeting notes online.

Well, I am still confused.

It appears the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners follows Robert’s Rules of Order, like every organization I have been affiliated with, both federal and private. The Western News stated, “During the Aug. 19 meeting held in Eureka, commissioners discussed the election process though it was not listed on the agenda.”

I looked up Robert’s rules again to be sure because my memory is not as good as it used to be. It appears to me that any item not on the agenda has to be introduced as a motion. Then that item gets a second and it is put on the agenda.

If this does not happen, it is not discussed. If it does, then should it not be put in the notes?

Not everyone can make it to the out of town board meeting, but they are still constituents. Robert’s rules were created “to carefully balance the rights of the majority to act, with the rights of the minority to be heard.” I am 70-years-old and in bad health. Do I not deserve to have all the facts about decisions that affect my health?

I am a constituent of yours who would go to every meeting if I could. I was very active in my youth in all aspects of the community. Since I cannot do this, I count on the newspapers and your minutes to keep me informed of all the facts.

I care deeply about this community and the world and have not dropped out by choice, but because of the frailty of the human body.

Mary Colhoff

Libby