The Tulsa Forum by TulsaNow

A lot of cities encourage public participation in public hearings, so they hold evening meetings to enable this.  The TMAPC has been resistant to this concept.  Several years ago, I participated in a "development task force" that was supposed to improve communication between the development process and the community.  The number one recommendation that came out of those meetings was that the TMAPC should hold evening meetings.  Of course, since Wayne Alberty was in charge of Incog's development services at that time, no such thing occured.

Recently, the TMAPC held an evening meeting when they were considering adoption of the new zoning code.  When this evening meeting was proposed, the commissioners expressed their views about public participation.  They are fairly illuminating.

From the minutes of the May 20,2015 TMAPC meeting:
Mr. Covey polled the Planning Commissions for their thoughts on a night meeting.
Mr. Reeds stated that he would support an evening meeting in order to make sure the bases are covered.
Mr. Carnes stated that he can remember one in the past and it brought out all the crazies.
Mr. Fretz stated that he would attend an evening meeting.
Ms. Millikin indicated that she would support an evening meeting.
Mr. Dix stated that he would do whatever the rest of the Commissioners want to do, but he believes it leads down a slippery-slope to think
that the Planning Commission will start having special night meetings for every little thing that comes up.
Mr. Stirling stated that generally he would be in support of it as long as it isn't setting a precedent for other things.
Mr. Midget stated that he thinks that for the Zoning Code update a night meeting would be a good idea, but he doesn't want to set a precedent.

It's really funny that everyone is so terrified of public participation in public hearings.  Funny, and really sad.

I see “Mr. Midget” and I can’t help but think of this scene

(http://www.doblu.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/memyselfirene.jpg)