Soliciting Comments

A big way to encourage involvement in a democratic government is to make as many people as possible feel part of the process. At City Council meetings, public comments before the scheduled agenda items bring the city together. These comments give validity to each person as they speak their minds. Those watching the meeting identify with their peers, which encourages a caring population.

I’ve checked with councils from Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley, Camarillo, San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara and discovered they maintain public comments before the scheduled agenda items. I sincerely believe we should return to this format at our Ventura City Council meetings. It is this format that enabled them to take office. It is a positive element of peer pressure. Those who are newly elected promised more unity in our city. This move seems to contradict these promises.

JUDEE HAUER, Ventura