It looks like the COVID-19 crisis is over, huh?
Sure, the number of positive cases keep rising and the number of available hospital beds keep shrinking, but since Gov. Ron DeSantis has said that government meetings must now be held in a public place, just like before the pandemic, our county commission is no longer having virtual meetings.
And, apparently, that means that anyone who wants to make public comments on an agenda item has to do it in person again.
Want to urge commissioners not to appoint someone to the District 8 seat vacated by Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and to have a special election instead? Want to share an idea for the CARES federal COVID-19 spending? Gotta risk your life and sit in the lobby with other masked strangers until they call your name so your message can be live-streamed into chambers.
Read related: COVID-19 vs Florida Sunshine Laws as Ron DeSantis approves virtual meetings
When I asked Acting Chairwoman Rebeca Sosa‘s people about this change, they blamed the county attorney’s office. “Regarding your question on reasonable opportunity to be heard, it was based on guidance provided by the county attorney,” wrote Sosa’s senior aide, Alex Fernandez.
But the town of Miami Lakes has used Zoom for more than a year, even before the pandemic, to allow their residents to participate remotely. Not everyone can get downtown during a weekday. Some people still have jobs.
The best thing that came out of these virtual meetings — in which many deals were made and money spent without anybody really noticing — is the increase in public participation. Sure, there were technical difficulties. Lots of people were left in the cue, for example, during the second budget hearing.
It just seems like the natural step from here is to have both. If the county can accommodate voice mail comments or virtual comments via zoom — as it has evidenced in these last few months — it should be willing to do that all the time and promote more participation in the democratic process.
That is, if they want the public comment, which Ladra suspects they do not.
Want to speak on a county commission item? You’ll have to risk your life added by Ladra on
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