How does a governing body serve its constituents without hearing what they have to say?

That is question that has been on my mind — and I suspect on the minds of many St. Clairsville residents — ever since Councilwoman Beth Oprisch proposed that city council loosen its restrictions on public participation in its regular meetings.

In most local communities, when our reporters attend a meeting of a county commission, a school board, a board of trustees or a municipal council, it is common practice for members of the audience to address the body during its meeting. Of course, procedures vary from community to community, but quite often members of the public are invited to address members of that body fairly early in the meeting. That way, the board or council members can listen, consider the views presented and, perhaps, provide at least a preliminary response. At the very least, they usually tell the speaker they will look further into their concern.

People can just show up and talk about what matters to them. There is no requirement that they make advance arrangements to be placed on the agenda. They are not required to summarize their thoughts in writing for prior review. The people who elected the members of the body simply attend the meeting and have the opportunity to talk to them.

It seems to me that is the way it should be. After all, the body wouldn’t exist without the votes of those very people in the audience. Elected officials are there to serve the entire community, not just to hold prestigious posts and place restrictions on the people who elected them.

Of course, there have to be limits. Nothing can be accomplished in a meeting if an audience member talks for three hours. Elected officials do not need to hear from dozens of people who all have the same point to make.

In general, though, the people ought to be heard in order for their elected officials to do what they are supposed to do — represent them.

While many local boards and councils have three- or five-minute time limits for impromptu speakers, the requirements to speak before St. Clairsville City Council are much more restrictive.

Anyone who wants to address St. Clairsville City Council must contact the city offices by at least the Friday prior to the regular Monday meeting and ask to be placed on the agenda. That individual must also provide a written summary of their remarks to be reviewed by the council president, who decides whether that speaker will be given a spot on the agenda.

There is no open period for public participation.

In my opinion, Oprisch was absolutely right to ask council to reconsider its policies. She is not seeking reelection, so the time for her to act is now.

Currently, council members are considering whether to give anyone who asks to be placed on the agenda three minutes to speak near the beginning of each meeting. Speakers would no longer be required to provide a written summary.

In addition, and perhaps more importantly, council may add a 15-minute window for public participation at the end of each meeting. Those who address council would not have to arrange it in advance, but each speaker would be limited to one minute to make their point.

Council should do all of that, and perhaps more.