CHIMACUM — Jefferson County officials will listen to the community during a series of nine public meetings, with the first one scheduled tonight.
The meeting — planned to include the three county commissioners, the county administrators and department heads — begins at 7 p.m. at the Tri-Area Community Center, 10 West Valley Road.
Each meeting will present a statement from each commissioner and include a “team building exercise” in which attendees can write down questions and issues that will then be consolidated for presentation to the commissioners and the public.
“A lot of government meetings seek to download information to the public and don’t really listen to what people say,” County Administrator Philip Morley said.
“We want to take the time to listen to people’s concerns and issues.”
Morley said the meetings attract a different group than those who attend the regular monthly meetings.
He has seen meetings that drew no one and gatherings that drew 75 people, he said.
Meeting schedule
Meetings are set for Tuesday, Coyle Community Center; April 16, Quilcene Community Center; April 22, Port Ludlow Beach Club; May 9, Brinnon Community Center; May 21, Port Townsend Community Center; and June 10, Gardiner Community Center.
Meetings for the Cape George area and West Jefferson County are planned but have not been scheduled.
All meetings will begin at 7 p.m. and are scheduled to last 90 minutes.
Morley said many of the questions can be answered on the spot, while others require follow-up.
“People who can’t make it to the meetings can always schedule an appointment with the commissioners or myself,” Morley said.
“This gives them an opportunity to ask direct questions outside of normal business hours. If we can’t answer them right away, we’ll contact them in the future.”