Commissioner Todd Pownall Seeks The Truth

[Winchester]

I personally believe that ALL public comments should not be allowed at the BoC meeting to begin with! Way too many of them are nothing but grandstanding or someone who is ill informed and has failed to research the facts!

Really? All should just shut up and do whatever the board wants? Grandstand, ill researched, or just plain stupid will come across as they speak, but they should be allowed to speak. What about the person that has researched and is reasonable with their request? They do not get a voice at the meetings?
There has been way too many behind closed door dealings in politics. Out in the open is what I want. Yes I would prefer they come prepared, but the ones that do not should not silence the rest. JMO

That is not what I said. There are many other methods of getting your questions answered but most people will not take the time to find out how. I have sat thru many, many, many BOC meetings over the years and by far, most public comments are nothing short of rants! Many are about policy but they bothered to ask why it's being done that way. I don't remember one public comment ever happening that led to an investigation or change in policy. if you want to make changes, you have to learn how the system works and who to contact about what!

And closed door politics will go on regardless of what laws are passed or what the people request. It's just the nature of politics.

 

[Foxmeister]

I have decided the best way to stop the good old boy system in this county is to quit electing people who were born and raised here.

 

[naturegirl]

Todd is truly one of the finest men I know. And I'm pretty picky!

(ng, he responded to your comment on PP's link. He never received your first email. I know it didn't sound like him to ignore you!)

I really like Todd, too. His son was in band with mine. I've known his wife since she was in Girl Scouts. I guess I shouldn't have said anything but I thought the "guys" might have got to him. I went to his web site and sent the message, perhaps an email would have been better. I now have his email address. Thanks IF.

 

[ShoeDiva]

I personally believe that ALL public comments should not be allowed at the BoC meeting to begin with! Way too many of them are nothing but grandstanding or someone who is ill informed and has failed to research the facts!

Really? All should just shut up and do whatever the board wants? Grandstand, ill researched, or just plain stupid will come across as they speak, but they should be allowed to speak. What about the person that has researched and is reasonable with their request? They do not get a voice at the meetings?
There has been way too many behind closed door dealings in politics. Out in the open is what I want. Yes I would prefer they come prepared, but the ones that do not should not silence the rest. JMO

That is not what I said. There are many other methods of getting your questions answered but most people will not take the time to find out how. I have sat thru many, many, many BOC meetings over the years and by far, most public comments are nothing short of rants! Many are about policy but they bothered to ask why it's being done that way. I don't remember one public comment ever happening that led to an investigation or change in policy. if you want to make changes, you have to learn how the system works and who to contact about what!

And closed door politics will go on regardless of what laws are passed or what the people request. It's just the nature of politics.

Okay, maybe not what you meant, but still silencing people if no one can speak publicly. If one comment in 10 years changes something I am still all for it. I do understand being frustrated with the same people and the same rants along the way, but we need to be allowed to speak out.
Closed door policies will go on, I do agree, but someone might think twice about doing something not to our benefit if they know it can be brought up by a citizen at a meeting.

 

[ShoeDiva]

I have decided the best way to stop the good old boy system in this county is to quit electing people who were born and raised here.

:cheer1

 

[kittycat]

I have decided the best way to stop the good old boy system in this county is to quit electing people who were born and raised here.

I agree with you 100% :cheer1

 

[Winchester]

I personally believe that ALL public comments should not be allowed at the BoC meeting to begin with! Way too many of them are nothing but grandstanding or someone who is ill informed and has failed to research the facts!

Really? All should just shut up and do whatever the board wants? Grandstand, ill researched, or just plain stupid will come across as they speak, but they should be allowed to speak. What about the person that has researched and is reasonable with their request? They do not get a voice at the meetings?
There has been way too many behind closed door dealings in politics. Out in the open is what I want. Yes I would prefer they come prepared, but the ones that do not should not silence the rest. JMO

That is not what I said. There are many other methods of getting your questions answered but most people will not take the time to find out how. I have sat thru many, many, many BOC meetings over the years and by far, most public comments are nothing short of rants! Many are about policy but they bothered to ask why it's being done that way. I don't remember one public comment ever happening that led to an investigation or change in policy. if you want to make changes, you have to learn how the system works and who to contact about what!

And closed door politics will go on regardless of what laws are passed or what the people request. It's just the nature of politics.

Okay, maybe not what you meant, but still silencing people if no one can speak publicly. If one comment in 10 years changes something I am still all for it. I do understand being frustrated with the same people and the same rants along the way, but we need to be allowed to speak out.
Closed door policies will go on, I do agree, but someone might think twice about doing something not to our benefit if they know it can be brought up by a citizen at a meeting.

I agree, there needs to be a way for people to discuss issues with the BoC. But I do not agree with it being at the BOC meetings. These usually end up being rants or people grandstanding on minor issues.

What I have found over the years what work the best for me is attending varous public hearing events and just talk to a Commissioner. I have learned tremendous amounts about this County by just having a friendly conversation with a County official. You know the old saying "you can catch more bears with honey"?

 

[Madea]

I have decided the best way to stop the good old boy system in this county is to quit electing people who were born and raised here.

So, we'll "discriminate" against someone based upon where they were born? Just as wrong, IMHO. Does being born here automatically make you a "good ole boy"? (And, no, I'm not a Paulding native.)

It's my humble opinion that almost all successful deals in politics involve some sort of "good ole boy" system. Reminds me of a lipstick on a pig comment.

Furthermore, public speaking has worked out well for Mr. Pownall.

 

[Foxmeister]

There are exceptions to the rule Madea. The only way I would vote for someone who was born and raised here is if I personally knew them. I would know then what kind of character they're made of and where they really stand on the issues. The reason I'm not favorable to candidates born and raise here is because this county used to be a very strong Democratic stronghold. The political demographic didn't change to what it is today, until the housing boom and a lot of conservatives started buying homes and moving here. Bruce Harris was a Democrat, but switched to the Republican Party after the demographics changed. We've seen how people serving on the BoC and BoE who were born and raised here have voted on spending issues that were quite frankly not necessary. Many of them were not fiscally conservative at all.

 

[LisaC]

I'm in the minority here, but it doesn't bother me that the citizen comments aren't videotaped and posted on the county website. When I watch the meetings, I stop watching when it gets to the citizen portion because I'm interested in hearing the things that the BOC are voting on. The citizens who do speak at those meetings get an opportunity to do exactly what they asked to do -- address the BOC. If they want to air their comments/grievences/whatever more publicly, make a video, post it on YouTube and post it on the other board. If they want to get on the video, run for the BOC.

 

[Paulding Pundit]

Furthermore, public speaking has worked out well for Mr. Pownall.

Madea, you're right!!! Citizen comments were used by current Chairman Austin when he ran against Shearin. See who's in the front row at the 6min point. This was during the campaign and Todd was working hard for David at that time. The video was used by many to take Shearin down. Ha! Thanks for jogging my memory. Talk about irony.

BOC Meeting Pownell

 

[newsjunky]

Furthermore, public speaking has worked out well for Mr. Pownall.

Madea, you're right!!! Citizen comments were used by current Chairman Austin when he ran against Shearin. See who's in the front row at the 6min point. This was during the campaign and Todd was working hard for David at that time. The video was used by many to take Shearin down. Ha! Thanks for jogging my memory. Talk about irony.

BOC Meeting Pownell

I mentioned this very thing to someone yesterday. Glad you found the clip PP. I am thinking that Todd stands up for what he believes is right no matter what his relationship is to the folks involved. We need more of that! :CLAP