Petal needs a moderator for next Town Hall Meeting

[Pop]

Petal needs a moderator for next Town Hall Meeting on Jan. 18 at the Petal Civic Center. I attended the last Town hall meeting and I agree that the format needs to be changed. The stage with tables gave a hierarchy impression that did not sit well with some of the residents. I think a round table like discussion could be more advantageous. Have chairs no desk or tables in front of the Mayor and board. Maybe some end tables for water between them. Have the moderator center stage who takes questions and controls the pace and tone of the meeting. Sort of like many of the talk show formats. Some one who is not biased and not from Petal but understands many of the issues. I would also recommend that not one individual should answer all of the questions it gives the impression of controlling even when it may not be intended. Be prepared for hard questions with complete answers.
With that said, there are several things that this administration has done that I do not agree with (financials) and some thing I think that were necessary for the future of Petal (codes). In other words I’m on the fence leaning.

Now on a lighter note I would like to know who from My Hattiesburg do you think would be a good moderator for this. Maybe --RevranAL (http://www.myhattiesburg.com/forums/member.php?u=1169), big john (http://www.myhattiesburg.com/forums/member.php?u=1258), wilebill (http://www.myhattiesburg.com/forums/member.php?u=756), Converyor Belt (http://www.myhattiesburg.com/forums/member.php?u=1255) ?

[MSQueen]

... Now on a lighter note I would like to know who from My Hattiesburg do you think would be a good moderator for this. Maybe --RevranAL (http://www.myhattiesburg.com/forums/member.php?u=1169), big john (http://www.myhattiesburg.com/forums/member.php?u=1258), wilebill (http://www.myhattiesburg.com/forums/member.php?u=756), Converyor Belt (http://www.myhattiesburg.com/forums/member.php?u=1255) ?

i cast my vote for RevranAL!!! :smt038 :smt040 :smt023 :smt041

[pEtAl mIsFiT]

I second that ms queen....

[Conveyor Belt]

I tend to say what I think, when I think it, and I might throw out some facial expressions some of the dumb questions. Yes, there are dumb questions.

However, I'll be in Orlando by the time this meeting takes place. I'd love to be there...

I don't care who moderates. Lets get webster to do it.

[carsalesguy]

wilebill would be good for it......

[wilebill]

My coyote suit is at the cleaners...

[carsalesguy]

why don't we bring the wheel of excuses to the town hall meeting as to why we can't help get a moderator for the meeting?

[pEtAl mIsFiT]

They Don't Make A Wheel That Big

[carsalesguy]

They Don't Make A Wheel That Big

we're building one

[CircusRide]

Billy Ray Cyrus for moderator!!!
We could have a mullet convention.

[Pop]

Looks like this format was more condusive to civil comunication!!!

http://wdam.com/Global/story.asp?S=5960217

http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070119/NEWS01/701190325/1002

http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070119/NEWS01/701190322/1002

[Tully Mars]

You have to give the administration a bit of credit for holding these town meetings in the first place. I don't know of another city or county administration in the region that is consistently holding town meetings such as this on a regular basis.

[James Moore]

Of the Town Hall meetings we've held, this was by far the best to date. Bill Hickman who stepped in as moderator at the last minute deserves much credit for the success of the event and it should be noted that he donated his professional services.

The citizens who attended on a cold rainy night and asked questions for the purpose of gaining understanding, offered comments to impart understanding, offered praise where praise was earned, and pointed out some problems that need addressing are to be commended.

Dissent is an important ingredient of democracy but it doesn't always have to be bitter. Last night was an example of democracy as democracy should be.

It was a good event. James Moore

[Bahlk]

Congrats on a good meeting and hope to have many more like last night even though I had to work and couldn't attend. Goes to show at least the administration is trying to communicate and listen to their constituency.