HomeMy Public PortalAbout2013-01-03_Evening Council MeetingsPRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 10, 2013
COUNCIL IMPROVING CITIZENS’ACCESSIBILITY TO IMMEDIATE INFORMATION
MUNICIPALITY –Several Councillors for the Municipality of the District of Chester have
indicated that some residents are interested in attending Council meetings, but the timing
makes it impossible for them to be there. So, on the premise of “if we build it, they will come”,
Council unanimously decided in favour of meeting in the evening once per month in the hopes
that community members will participate.
Starting January 31, Council will meet on the last Thursday of each month at 6:00 p.m.in
Council Chambers, located at 151 King Street in Chester.Evening meetings are being held on a
trial basis for the next six months,and if public interest prevails, Council will consider making
the change more permanent.
Council meetings have always been open to the public, but often not well attended.In fact, the
Council of 2001 voted to hold all of their meetings du ring daytime hours because of the poor
attendance at their evening meetings.Since then, however, the public has taken more of an
interest in governance, both local and provincial.
As a result,the Municipality has used several methods t o engage and inform the public,
including developing a Routine Access Policy and increasing the availability of both electronic
and written information.
Providing residents options to become more involved in -or at least more aware of -the local
government process,is another step towards improving public understanding and participation.
Agendas for Council meetings can be found online at www.chester.ca or requested by calling
the Municipal Office.The six-month meeting schedule can also be found online.
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CONTACT INFORMATION:
Jennifer Veinotte, Communications Officer
Municipality of the District of Chester
(902) 275-3554 phone (902) 275-4771 fax
(902) 277-1169 cell phone jveinotte@chester.ca