How Does Rabun County’s Public Comment Session Compare to Others?

One issue concerning the county commission recently, is the use of public comment during meetings. The Rabun County Commission allows public comment prior to their meetings, on items that have made that month’s agenda, which has displeased certain members of the Rabun County community.

Speaking with Post one Commissioner Will Nichols on this issue, he says “As far as I’m concerned, I have never had no intent of taking public comment away from anybody, personally.” says Nichols, “Now, I can’t speak for the whole board, but there is just a small group of people that don’t really understand how public comment works. If the board decides to do something else (concerning public comment), that will be what it is. But as far as I know right now, that is where we are at, agenda items only.”

Nichols does mention, however, how he personally deals with residents who wish to add an item to the agenda, “the way I deal with a lot stuff, is one-on-one. Of course, if it is something that needs to go on to the rest of the board, I talk to the rest of the board, and that ends up on the agenda.”

To compare, we asked news directors from over North Georgia, to ask how other counties handle public comment.

According to MJ Kneiser, News Director for WLHR Radio in Lavonia, who covers Franklin and Hart Counties: “In Franklin County they hold a public comment at the beginning of the meeting and people are allowed to speak on any issue concerning them. It does not have to be on the agenda. In Hart County public comment is at the end of the meeting but again citizens are allowed to speak on any issue they want whether it’s on the agenda or not.”

According to Charlie Bauder, News Director for WNEG in Toccoa: “The policy in Toccoa is to allow the public to comment at the end of the meeting on various items that may or may not have been on the agenda. Usually, it is limited to three minutes per person but can be lengthened at the discretion of the commission. Stephens County has a similar policy to the city of Toccoa, though starting next month they are going to ask that people who know in advance that they wish to speak to sign up with the county and let them know on what they are speaking so the commission is more prepared. However, someone who is not signed up will still, to my understanding, be allowed to speak. Again, the commission has discretion on the length of the comments.”