I went to the City of Glen Rose meeting last night, in particular to hear two items on the agenda, with my video camera. Over the next couple of days, I'll put up audio and some video of the meeting, but wanted to say in the meantime that it was a real pleasure to attend. I had wondered when I heard some time back that the audience is able to comment after each agenda item, before council voted on a given item, whether that was a realistic way to run a meeting. I believe so. Mayor Moore ran the meeting very well, when someone wanted to speak up from the audience (during a comment section), he directed them to the podium to speak into the mike, had them state their name and address, and also set their expections about what could or could not happen in public comments. In one case, someone wanted to comment for a particular agenda item, and, realizing that the comment actually applied to the next agenda item, Moore asked the citizen to do so at the next round, which she did. He also clearly read out what was being voted on, and then, each time, made sure if a motion was made that it was stated clearly and accurately. 

The city council meetings were polite with each other and treated each other with respect. They did not all agree, didn't all vote the same way, each gave his or her own opinion but all listened to each other without rudeness or contempt. In fact, that's just how I expect democratically elected governmental officials to be. Although I know all the people on the city council and that they are personally charming people, I believe that Mayor Moore's presiding actions are directly responsible for the professionalism displayed therein. 

P.S. Notice I had talked about public comments in 2010. 

Can I just mention one of my pet peeves again here? The City has an excellent microphone system. I think people should be required to go up to the podium and speak IF allowed to by the council, so that there can be a good recording. As someone that occasionally listens to tape recordings made there, audience comments are many times very muddy and hard to hear. I know sometimes people don't want to get up and make their way to the mike. Well, that to me is WHY you have a defined procedure and time for public comments, so that peanut gallery comments don't disrupt the flow of the meetings and so that there can be an accurate record, well heard, of what everyone SAID. 

And Dennis Moore has FIXED this. Again, Bravo to him and to all the professionals at City Council

P.P.S. Contrast that with the completely unprofessional way Somervell County Hospital District board member Ron Hankins acts, as well as the unruly people in the audience who don't have enough respect for government to stop acting like ruffians. Chip Harrison, presiding officer on the hospital board,  could take lessons from Dennis Moore.