More Public Participation Encouraged at Town Hall Meetings
Armstrong County Commissioners’ summer intern Casey Velcko announced earlier this month that Commissioners Pat Fabian, Jason Renshaw and George Skamai will take questions from the public during five town hall meetings Thursday evenings this month - beginning in Sugarcreek Township September 1.
by Jonathan Weaver
As County Commissioner George Skamai described it earlier this month, “the show goes on the road” beginning this Thursday when commissioners visit five neighborhood fire halls.
Commissioners will meet each Thursday evening this month at an Armstrong County fire hall as part of their series of town hall meetings.
The first town hall will be held at Sugarcreek Township Fire Hall in East Brady.
Earlier this month, intern Casey Velcko – a Ford City High graduate – described the meetings as question-and-answer type meetings that will give residents the opportunity to talk to commissioners near their hometowns.
“They had me working on several things, but one of the things they really did want to put together was this series of town hall meetings to get out and just really reach out to the public and open up the lines of communication a bit,” Velcko said. “Since the public meetings are up here in Kittanning in the morning, not all residents are necessarily able to come in at that time.”
Velcko - an intern from May through August - returned last week to study music composition at Baldwin-Wallace University in Berea, Ohio.
Commissioner Skamai said the town hall meetings were a board brainstorm shortly after taking office in January.
“We’re looking for good feedback from the constituency. We want feedback and questions where there is uncertainty so that we can take some ideas back to the office, mull them over and clarify concerns,” Skamai said. “It’s only been nine months, but it’s been a very active nine months.”
Commissioner Jason Renshaw said the town hall meetings are another example of the commissioners being transparent and encouraging interaction.
“It’s everybody’s county, so I think we need to keep (residents) informed and up-to-date. We’ll listen and do what we can,” Renshaw said. “Hopefully the whole town shows up.”
Even with the relaxed format, Skamai looked forward to answering questions about the upcoming 2017 budget – which he said could be late in its first phase during September.
Commissioner Chair Pat Fabian encouraged municipal leaders to also attend for, what he hoped to be, a good turnout.
The question-and-answer session will be preceded at the fire hall by the commissioners’ regular public meeting – which is usually held at 9AM in Kittanning on the first Thursday of each month.
Local News | jweaver August 30, 2016
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By jorn jensen, August 31, 2016 @ 7:39 AM
Why doesn’t the article list the 5 locations, dates and time of day? That would be useful information.
By Elderton Parent, August 31, 2016 @ 9:42 AM
It would be nice if this article had a list of the dates, times, and locations of the upcoming meetings. Also, I encourage the Commissioners to utilize social media to communicate this information.
By mad-2010, August 31, 2016 @ 11:33 AM
I would like to know how much that jail escape cost the taxpayers? Never heard! Anybody?