Columbia -- After drawing criticism from open-government advocates last month, state transportation commissioners said Thursday they will consider adding a public comment period to each of their meeting agendas.
The Transportation Commission voted 5-2 to include public comment on Thursday's agenda, and several members said they are willing to discuss making citizen input a regular item at all meetings.
Covering the politics of the Lowcountry, South Carolina and the nation.
"Honestly, there couldn't be a harm to it, as long as we determine the parameters or criteria about which they are going to speak and how long," Commissioner Eddie Adams said after Thursday's meeting.
Adams was among a majority of commissioners who voted last month against expanding the agenda to allow public comment at monthly board meetings. At the time, several commissioners said people get plenty of chances to comment on road projects through public hearings and at other meetings.
Board Chairman Danny Isaac also has discretion to let the public speak at individual meetings, Department of Transportation officials said.
But the S.C. Press Association, environmentalists and two DOT commissioners said last month that the public needs a regular opportunity to air its views on transportation matters. Environmentalists complained that they were denied an opportunity to talk to the commission about Interstate 73, a freeway to Myrtle Beach.
Bill Rogers, director of the Press Association, said he is encouraged to hear that the DOT now is willing to consider adding public comment to its agendas.
"That is really a step in the right direction," Rogers said. "I would commend them for allowing the public to speak."
While no one spoke during Thursday's public comment period, Commissioner Sarah Nuckles said people will take advantage of it if they know they'll have the opportunity to speak in the future. Nuckles has pushed for greater public access at commission meetings. Last month, only Nuckles and Commissioner John P. Edwards voted to include public comment on the agenda.
Isaac and member Craig Forrest voted against adding the public comment period to Thursday's meeting agenda, but Isaac said it is an issue he is willing to discuss again at a board workshop. Board member Harrison Rearden said the board might even consider recognizing guests at the start of each meeting.
Like Adams, Forrest and Isaac, Rearden said he believes the DOT commission has always been open with the public and would allow people to speak when they asked about specific agenda items. But he said he could support adding a regular public comment period to the agenda.
"We are here as public servants," Rearden said Thursday. "I wouldn't have any objection to having it as a line item on the agenda, along with the welcoming of guests. For standing public comment, I wouldn't object to that."
The Department of Transportation is charged with building highways, paving roads and fixing bridges. The commission sets agency policy and its decisions often determine which roads are paved or built first.
Share this story:
Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content.
Postandcourier.com is pleased to offer readers the enhanced ability to comment on stories. We expect our readers to engage in lively, yet civil discourse. Postandcourier.com does not edit user submitted statements and we cannot promise that readers will not occasionally find offensive or inaccurate comments posted in the comments area. Responsibility for the statements posted lies with the person submitting the comment, not postandcourier.com. If you find a comment that is objectionable, please click "report abuse" and we will review it for possible removal. Please be reminded, however, that in accordance with our Terms of Use and federal law, we are under no obligation to remove any third party comments posted on our website.
Users can now build user-to-user connections, follow friends' recent posts, add an avatar that fits their personality, and more. If you have posted here before you'll need to sign up again, or if you've never posted before, start now by signing up!
Source:
No comments:
Post a Comment