Resident asks Dickenson County to allow public questions during comment period

A resident urged Dickenson County officials to change the rules governing public comment so members of the public could ask questions of board members during the meeting.

Chris Comer of 242 Hackney Ridge in Birchleaf said the rules should be amended to allow at least one question per speaker and more back-and-forth between residents and officials. “The rules need to be amended that the public can ask questions,” Comer said, adding that communication should be a two-way street.

The meeting moderator explained the county’s current practice: public commenters receive three minutes, and board members are asked individually afterward whether they wish to respond so that several members do not speak at once. “Is we take your 3 minutes,” the moderator said, and asked commenters to wait until the public-comment period ends for a formal response.

Board members noted there is an opportunity for follow-up dialogue but expressed concern that extended back-and-forth during public comment can make meetings unmanageable. One board member said the board can respond to questions but must balance that with orderly meeting procedures.

No rule change was proposed or voted on during the session; the exchange was a public request and a board explanation of existing procedure.