Normally, when you find yourself stuck at a 5-hour public hearing, listening to 200 speakers, it gets tough.
That happened at the Board of Supervisors meeting last Tuesday. The meeting was long, the place was freezing, I sat from 9:45 a.m. until nearly 5 p.m. — no lunch break, not even a water break.
But the speakers were interesting. And the topic is fascinating to me (you can go to www.sgvtribune.com and search for “storm drain” or “urban runoff” to see the past stories I’ve written on the topic).
But best of all, Supervisor and Chairman of the Board Mark Ridley-Thomas was a study in how to keep order and do it gtacefully. He was also a master at conducting a public hearing.
It was one of the best run public hearings I’ve been to. And that is saying something since I’ve been covering local news for 32 years in four counties.
Anyway, the Board said the storm water cleanup fee needed more time. Zev said it “was not ready for prime time.” They asked for numerous revisions from the Department of Public Works and County Counsel. It should come back before the Board of Supervisors March 12.
You can click on the link below and read my column about Ridley-Thomas.
Thanks.
http://www.sgvtribune.com/opinions/ci_22394326/steve-scauzillo-how-lead-public-meeting