Forks Supervisors Release Audio Recordings
At the Jan. 19, 2012 meeting of the Board of Supervisors, the Board finally took the positive step of allowing audio recordings of the regular meetings to be posted on the township's website.
The vote was 5-0.
This issue has been stalled for a very long time on the Board's agenda. The audio recordings are set to be posted online within three days of the meetings adjournment. Two meetings will be available at a time, the older one being rotated off of the website once a new one becomes available.
This step is much needed within the township. If a resident misses a meeting, with the current system, he or she will not be able to find out what transpired until the meeting minutes are approved at the following BOS meeting.
This means that a 2-3 week interval will pass before the resident has an opportunity to find out what he or she has missed. In addition to this, the minutes are usually posted in an untimely manner, further delaying the citizen's desire to be informed.
This being said, if some point of interest is discussed at the missed meeeting, and this citizen has something to say about it, the issue may have already been discussed and acted upon at the meeting in which the minutes were approved. The resident has now missed his or her opportunity because he or she had no chance to become informed. The interested citizen is disenfranchised.
These audio recordings will improve transparency of Forks Township local government. Residents now have another pathway to link themselves to their local government. People can now stay up-to-date on current issues even if not in attendance at BOS meetings.
Thumbs up to the new 2012 board for finally taking this much needed step.
In This Blog Post
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Forks Township Board of Supervisors
January 19, 2012 / February 2, 2012 / February 16, 2012 / March 1, 2012 / March 15, 2012 / April 5, 2012 / April 19, 2012 / May 3, 2012 / May 17, 2012 / June 7, 2012 / June 21, 2012 / July 5, 2012 / July 19, 2012 / August 2, 2012 / August 16, 2012 / September 6, 2012 / September 20, 2012 at 7:30 pm1606 Sullivan Trl, Easton, PA -
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Forks Township
1606 Sullivan Trl, Easton, PA -
Opie
12:22 am on Saturday, January 21, 2012
Why are they afraid to live-stream the meetings? Cost is certainly not an issue in this realm.
Brett Bonfanti
12:22 pm on Saturday, January 21, 2012
...they believe it would be a hastle and costly to do so. The audiorecording option costs a 1-time $175 setup fee. I agree that live-streaming is a great option, but I don't see it happening anytime soon with the foot dragging by the Board.
Opie
12:30 pm on Saturday, January 21, 2012
Well, that's what they cite as the reason, but anyone who knows this technology knows its not "costly". After the initial investment of 3 fixed cameras (on the board, audience and speaker podium) and the audio hook-up and software, the only ongoing expense is bandwidth (internet) which they (we taxpayers) already pay for.
The "hassle" you reference is that they really don't want too much transparency or for the citizens to engage if they can not (will not) attend the meetings.
Opie
12:33 pm on Saturday, January 21, 2012
By the way, since from what I have read we are willing to pay the new Township manager $100+k like townships in Bucks County do, why can't we live broadcast meetings like townships in Bucks County (i.e. Middletown) do?
http://www.middletowntwpbucks.org/
Brett Bonfanti
1:51 pm on Saturday, January 21, 2012
I agree with you Opie. The BOS should work to improve its transparency. However, they are under the assumption that no one will watch these online meetings because no one cares. I disagree with the Supervisors and think (hope) people take an interest in local government. As it is, only approximately 10 people come to each BOS meeting, many of which are reporters who are paid to attend. I hope to see you at a future meeting to possibly comment on your advocation for live streaming meetings, more support for them from the community would make the Supervisors realize the importance of and interest in viewing meetings online.
Opie
2:09 pm on Saturday, January 21, 2012
"However, they are under the assumption that no one will watch these online meetings because no one cares."
Brett, I respectfully disagree with this comment. I think that the opposite is true and that they are afraid people will watch!
While true citizen participation in our local government and township is pitiful, more often than not residents feel helpless when facing this 5-person board. The citizens seem to forget that there is roughly 14k+ of us, and only 5 of them!
You won't likely see me at any meetings. Did that for nearly 2 decades. Time for others, especially new, young, fresh blood to fight the battles that are worthy of fighting. I comment from the sidelines from time to time. I guess you can take the dog out of the fight, but not the fight out of the (old) dog :)
Brett Bonfanti
3:48 pm on Sunday, January 22, 2012
I totally agree that we need new people out there being active in local government. Also, I'd say it is certainly a possibility that some supervisors may be afraid people will watch. Thanks for reading my post!
Opie
12:06 pm on Monday, January 23, 2012
Thank you for taking the time and interest to cover these meetings and report to us what is happening!
Keep up the great work, and God Speed in everything that you do!