letter to the county commission chairman

To commissioner Mahoney.

Copy to all other commissioners, Ted Williams, County clerk Waters

Dear commissioner Mahoney,

Last week I asked you to clarify your interpretation of the rules governing public participation at county meetings.

As I have yet to hear from you, I will ask again.

The rules as posted on the county web site are clear:

"1. On an agenda item, by providing a completed “Public Participation” form to the

secretary, chair or committee member, and being recognized by the chair during

discussion of the time;"

http://co.muskegon.mi.us/boardofcommissioners/boardrules.pdf

Your recently approved rules specifically mention "agenda item", "public participation form" and "during discussion of the time" an agenda item is being discussed.

It is clear to me that your rules encourage public comment during discussion and before a vote is taken on an agenda item.

The form is less clear but explicitly states that it is the "Public Participation" form:

My questions are simple:

1. Are citizens allowed to address the full board or committees during discussion of specific agenda items before a vote is taken?

2. If the answer is "yes", what do we citizens have do to get the approval to speak from the chairman of the county board?

3. If the answer is "no", please explain.

Thank you very much,