Supervisor Makes Case for Telecasts of County Meetings

Your March 14 editorial “End Board’s Stalling on Telecasts” is a telling account of how elected officials defer decisions on seemingly innocuous issues.

I have been a supporter of increasing public access to the Board of Supervisors’ meetings and other county information since becoming a supervisor.

You are correct that television is used to communicate. For too long, decisions made by the Board of Supervisors have remained as after-the-fact events.

Never, minus the aftermath of the bankruptcy, has the public had the opportunity to see how decisions are made and to get some feeling of the issues as they are debated.

Most of my constituents live in a separate area code, and the majority live over 30 minutes away. Add the necessity to work, and it almost becomes impossible to venture to Santa Ana to witness a board meeting.

It is time for the Board of Supervisors to do all they can do in order to invite the public to have a role in the decision process. Televising board meetings simply allows folks the choice to tune in if and when they want. The minimal cost is nothing compared to the need to allow people such access.

It’s no doubt a given that the Board of Supervisors will never win an award for best drama series, but we owe it to our residents to decide for themselves if we deserve [comment] good or bad!

The Board of Supervisors should conduct the pilot program and tape our meetings.

THOMAS W. WILSON

Orange County supervisor

5th District