Letter to the editor: Commissioners should make meetings convenient, and known

Westmoreland County residents: What does a typical Thursday at 10 a.m. look like for you? Many of you would probably be at your job. Perhaps you’d be attending class or taking your kids to soccer practice. I’d wager few of you would say 10 a.m. on a Thursday would be a convenient time to attend a county commissioners meeting. I’d also wager that most of you are saying, “What county commissioners meeting?”

These meetings are the forum in which county residents can make their voices heard by speaking directly to our elected representatives. It is a way for underserved constituents to address the lack of access to health care, safe housing and mental health services in their communities. These meetings are a necessary part of a healthy democracy, yet they are held at inconvenient times with little to no community notification. Additionally, they are not shared virtually for those who cannot attend.

The county commissioners have an obligation not only to hold these meetings but to do so at a time when everyone has an opportunity to attend. Residents have jobs, kids and obligations. We shouldn’t have our voices ignored because of that.

Further, aren’t our IT guys aware of the many virtual options available? Maybe because they are too busy running our Elections Bureau, for which we still don’t have a permanent or qualified director. This is not a big ask.

We deserve to have a voice and know what our elected officials are doing.

Victoria A. Campbell

Irwin

The writer is a member of Voice of Westmoreland.