People are not aware that local government meetings are open to the public and citizens have the right to speak. Anyone is allowed to voice a comment or concern. The public may also view and request copies of public records. Anyone can lawfully record an open public meeting.
The following information has been obtained directly from http:www.opengovva.org a public info website provided to residents of Virginia. The public has a right to attend and record meetings, work sessions and retreats of all public bodies, which includes local governing bodies, state agencies and their committees, subcommittees and commissions. FOIA (the Freedom Of Information Act) requires the government to post notice of an upcoming meeting in two prominent locations where public notices are kept. Usually notice is also posted in the local newspaper and on the government’s web site. The notice must be given at least three working days before the meeting, and it must state the date, time and location of the meeting. If there is an agenda, at least one copy must be made available to the public at the same time the members of the public body get it. You may request that they send you notice of every upcoming meeting. The government has some flexibility for notice when there’s a special or emergency meeting, but notice must still be given. You may record the meeting, provided you don’t get in the way. The government must take minutes at the meeting which are public records. Minutes must include the date, time and location of the meeting, which members were present, a summary of the discussions and a record of any votes taken. All votes must be made in front of the public; no secret ballots are allowed, nor are binding votes taken in closed session.
The Patrick County Board of Supervisors meets on the 2nd and 4th Mondays (as necessary) of each month at 6 p.m. in the Third Floor Board Room of the Patrick County Administration Building. The Patrick County School Board meets on the second Thursday of each month. They may also meet on the fourth Thursday for a “Work Meeting.” Meeting locations are usually posted on the PCPS website under the School Board tab. Either Board must provide you with the documents they will use during the meetings if you request them. All government representatives must provide a method to contact them personally, by phone, mail or email. They are supposed to respond to their constituents, though some in Patrick County will not.
Trena Anderson
(Note from The Enterprise: School Board Members: Ronnie Terry, of the Blue Ridge District, can be reached at (276) 952-2723 or ronnie.terry@patrick.k12.va.us; Walter Scott, of the Smith River District, can be reached at (276) 694-5649 or walter.scott@patrick.k12.va.us; Annie Hylton, of the Peters Creek District, can be reached at (276) 694-7958; Michelle Day, of the Mayo River District, can be reached at (276) 694-7150; and Brandon Simmons, of the Dan River District, can be reached at (276) 251-9970 or brandon.simmons@patrick.k12.va.us. Board of Supervisors: Karl Weiss, of the Blue Ridge District, can be reached at (276) 694-7288 or karlweiss@hotmail.com; Jane Fulk, of the Dan River District, can be reached at (276) 251-8107 or jsfulkpcsuper@yahoo.com; Lock Boyce, of the Mayo River District, can be reached at (276) 694-3564 or boyce-holland@embarqmail.com; Rickie Fulcher, of the Peters Creek District, can be reached at (276) 694-7224 or rickief@hotmail.com; and Crystal Harris, of the Smith River District, (276) 930-2127 or dragonfly24185@yahoo.com.)
