Typically, if you want to attend Columbus City Council meeting, you don’t have to worry about finding a good seat. You can usually take your pick.
That wasn’t the case Tuesday, however. For the first time in recent memory, the council held its meeting before full house with more than 100 citizens gathering to speak, be heard and listen.
The circumstances behind the large turnout were tragic. The crowd was there seeking answers in the wake of Friday’s officer-involved shooting death of 26-year-old Columbus native Ricky Ball.
And while it was apparent that most of the crowd left the council meeting less than satisfied with the responses they received from city officials, including Police Chief Tony Carleton, there was something positive to be noted.
For the first time in recent memory, Columbus residents took an active role in the affairs of their city.
That’s a good thing. All healthy communities have this common denominator: a well-informed, engaged citizenry.
That is what we saw Tuesday evening and what we believe we should see each time the council meets. Friday’s shooting was a terrible tragedy, but it should not take a tragic event to stir citizens to participate in their city government.
Even as city officials have taken steps to restrict public participation in city council meetings over the past year — requiring citizens to sign up to speak five days before the council meeting and screening the topics they want to address — citizens have a fundamental right to be heard when at these meetings, which is where city business is conducted.
On almost a daily basis, we hear residents who have a complaint, idea or question about what is happening in our city.
Yet, those concerns are seldom expressed during council meetings, where they become part of the official record.
On those rare occasions where citizens in large numbers attend and participate in city council meetings, we have seen tangible benefits for both the citizens and city officials.
Citizens leave these meetings knowing they have had a chance to express themselves. City officials leave with a better understanding of the issue.
We encourage citizens to attend these meetings and speak out. Certainly, these exchanges should be conducted respectfully. Citizens should speak, but also listen with a spirit of working toward a common goal — a better city.
If you have a complaint, suggestion or question about how our city operates, the best, most effective forum to present those concerns is a city council meeting.
Citizens have a right to participate in these meetings. They also have an obligation.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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