A few people have been commenting on my recent appearances before the Board of Supervisors, so I wanted to share my comments “in all their glory.” You shouldn’t have to sit through six hours of video to find the highlights of local advocacy!
A Small Win: Let There Be Light
Back in July, I pointed out a literal crack in the county’s maintenance: a burnt-out lamp and a crumbling ceiling in the meeting room. I’m happy to report that by the September 2nd meeting, the light had been fixed. It may seem like a small detail, but if we can’t keep the lights on in the room where we make million-dollar decisions, it sends the wrong message. The ceiling is still a work in progress, but credit where it’s due for the illumination.
The Digital Divide: Bulletin Boards vs. The Web
While the room is brighter, the county’s digital transparency has taken a step backward. I’ve noticed a frustrating trend:
- Un-synced Calendars: Meetings are posted on the physical bulletin board in the hallway but are missing from the online calendar and agenda center.
- The “Physical” Requirement: For a citizen to stay informed about Library Board or Finance Audit Committee meetings, they shouldn’t have to physically drive to the building three times a week just to check a corkboard.
- Missing Minutes: There have been no minutes posted for the past four months. Without a record of what was decided, the public is left in the dark.
Financial Oversight
Having attended the Finance Audit Committee meetings, I raised concerns about the lack of substantive budget discussion. We need to see these documents on the website, not just as mentions in a meeting.
Furthermore, I challenged the Board’s claim that they cannot “compel” the Treasurer to provide reports because it is a constitutional office. Their own bylaws state that these reports shall be provided. If the rules exist, they should be followed.
Final Thought
Advocacy is about showing up—not just when it’s convenient, but consistently. Whether I’m pointing out a burnt-out bulb or a missing financial audit, the goal is to make Warren County a more transparent and “lovable” place to live.
Watch the Highlights
- 1:13 – Acknowledging the fixed light (and the crumbling ceiling).
- 1:23 – The lack of substantive talk at Finance Audit Committee meetings.
- 1:54 – The disconnect between the physical bulletin board and the website.
- 2:40 – Challenging the Board on Treasurer reports and bylaws.
Transcript (auto-generated)
0:04
4 secondsLewis Moten North River. I’m not here to talk about a double plus good library. Um, but I would recommend about your cup
0:12
12 secondshandling. Uh, the gentleman who was declined, I would invite him back maybe after you make your decision because you
0:20
20 secondswant to have equal sayings about what you come up with. Maybe give him a waiver of a fee. Maybe consider some of the more recent people as well. I think
0:28
28 secondsit would be a bit fairer. Um, another issue I’ve been kind of annoyed by quite often
0:37
37 secondsthat light and that roof. So, every time I look at you guys, when I look at that light, I’m
0:45
45 secondsthinking there’s cracks. Everybody needs to like clean up a little bit or something. But, um, yeah, I don’t really
0:53
53 secondshave much else to say. That’s it. So, thanks. Hello, my name is Lewis Mutton, uh, North River District. I forgot how
1:01
1 minute, 1 secondexciting these meetings can be sometimes. Um, but I commend you for keeping control of the the board in the
1:08
1 minute, 8 secondsin the room. Um, good job on the light. Um, sibling still
1:18
1 minute, 18 secondsfalling apart, but that’s better. Um, I’ve been to the finance audit committee
1:25
1 minute, 25 secondsmeetings or at least one of them. Uh, I can tell you what does and does obviously does not happen there is there’s no talk about budgets, the
1:33
1 minute, 33 secondsaudit. Um, there are there’s talk about a budget, but there nobody goes really looks over those documents for any of
1:41
1 minute, 41 secondsthe public to see really. Um, I would like to see those documents other than through board of supervisors, but I’d like to see them on a website somewhere.
1:50
1 minute, 50 secondsI saw you started using the website and then you stopped.
1:54
1 minute, 54 secondsUm, right now this month’s meeting, it’s on that bulletin board. It’s not on the calendar online. It’s not on an agenda
2:02
2 minutes, 2 secondsitem online. So, something’s going on where I used to come in here three times a week looking at that bulletin board
2:10
2 minutes, 10 secondsbecause it does not sync up with what’s on the website. So, every library board meeting I’d go to, I’d have to find out through that bulletin board. I physically have to come here.
2:20
2 minutes, 20 secondsUm, no minutes for the past four months. I saw you cancelled last month’s meeting and uh you moved the meeting before
2:29
2 minutes, 29 secondsthat. I assume because you knew that I had a meeting that night, but funny thing was I wasn’t in town anyway, so it
2:36
2 minutes, 36 secondsdidn’t matter. Um, yeah, I I think there’s something going on. and you say you can’t compel the
2:43
2 minutes, 43 secondstreasur to do something because they’re in a constitutional office, yet your bylaws state that they shall provide a report to you. So, I’d look into that
2:52
2 minutes, 52 secondsbecause you’re telling them what they have to do. Thank you.
