ST. CLAIRSVILLE Belmont County Commissioners last week held the first of a full slate of town hall meetings scheduled to take place in communities throughout the county this year.
The first meeting, held at the Fireman's Fish Fry Building in Holloway, was deemed a successful session, as the board of commissioners look forward to taking to the road in 2010 and meeting with people throughout the community.
Tuesday evening January 19th in Holloway.
Commission Ginny Favede, who this year was appointed to serve as president of the board, explained that the town hall meetings are being scheduled in various communities in the county. A number of meetings that have been scheduled take place in conjunction with village of city council meetings, which the local officials are already gathered together.
"Our goal is to get out to every municipality within the county this year," said Favede.
In the past, the town halls were by request of officials from the local communities. This year, however, Favede has taken the initiative to schedule a town hall meeting in each village or city.
"We will be crisscrossing back and forth and covering the entire county," she said. "We want to get out and talk to the people of the county face-to-face and spend some time sharing what's going on in the county and listening to their concerns."
The commissioners started in the far northwestern corner of the county - in Holloway - and are now going to the other end of the county next month, as the town hall meeting for February will be in Powhatan Point. Then the board will bring the road show back to Barnesville. All of the town hall meetings are scheduled in conjunction with the village or city council meetings and are being scheduled during the last meeting of each month.
"We are scheduling the town halls either before or after the council meetings so that the council members and mayors are available to participate," said Favede. "The commissioners feel that a strong working relationship with the municipalities is important and are taking the time to strengthen those ties."
"We're making visits to every city and village a priority in 2010," said Commissioner Matt Coffland.
Town Hall meetings are an informal public meeting. Everybody in a community is invited to attend, voice their opinions, and hear the responses from the commissioners.
"It is important to communicate with the residents of our county and to give them a chance to feel that their voices are being heard." said Favede.
"Although the commissioners weekly meetings allow for open public forum, it is often said many residents just feel more comfortable in their own town discussing their concerns," said Commissioner Chuck Probst.
Locations of the town hall meetings for the year have been set. Many dates have already been scheduled, with meetings taking place at least once every month. Times and specific dates for future meetings will be announced as they are scheduled.
