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Better public participation at Charlotte council

Queen Charlotte council tried a new way of allowing questions and comments from residents at its meeting last Tuesday (August 5).Normally, councils and other governing bodies allow public participation only near the end of meetings, when all decisions have been made.But Monday, Mayor Carol Kulesha said council would try letting the public comment on agenda items shortly after the meeting started, as well as continue with the public participation segment later in the meeting.One member of the public, Duncan White, offered some input on an item council was looking at, then the meeting proceded as usual."I'd like to thank council for the public participation, Duncan White said later, "I think it is a good procedure, I'd like to thank you for that."Mr. White also said that in his many years of attending school board, he was frustrated because from time to time he would have information that might help trustees make a decision, but could say nothing until after the decision had been made.This new policy may get around that problem.