I had an interesting experience Monday July 13. As a board member of the Swing & Jazz Preservation Society, our President Rene Zerah who is away for the summer, asked me to represent him and speak to the Board of County Commissioners at their Monday meeting in West Palm Beach to make a plea for the modest Cultural Council grant we were awarded a few months ago. However the Commissioners, in dire need of money had already indicated that no money would be available for grants, as it was needed to meet the important needs of the County.
When you wish to speak at a Commission meeting you fill out a card and wait your turn to be called. The meeting was originally called for 2 PM, but they started at 1:30 because of the time pressure to review and discuss the entire budget amongst themselves (in front of the audience and televised on Ch. 20) before hearing from the public. There were over fifty people that requested the opportunity to speak. Because of that large number the normal three minute per person time allotment was reduced to two minutes.
I arrived at 1:20, filled out my card and waited to be called. Many people filled out cards after I arrived. As luck would have it my card was the last to be called—at 5:20 PM. Apparently they have no way of calling people in the order of when the cards are handed in. I had my two minutes, said my piece and departed.
I don’t envy the job of County Administrator Bob Weisman and the commissioners. Everyone has to tighten their belts and do with less.