Foster County Commissioners Meetings

As a result of Chairman Straley's abrasive actions at the March 4th Foster County Board meeting, many citizens are making sure that they are on the agenda for the March 18th meeting. Please keep in mind that the commissioners' meeting is on Tuesday, March 18th at 8:30am. If you would like to be on the agenda, please call ASAP and have your name put on the list. It will be interesting to see how Straley acts when he is confronted with a room full of concerned citizens who insist on being heard.

 Here are a few quotes from Leasa Lura's article in the Foster County Independent's March 10, 2014 issue (regarding the March 4th meeting):

 "... Straley said he [Gussiaas] could not speak at the meeting because he was not on the agenda."

 "Straley told Gussiaas to be quiet or he would be thrown out of the meeting."

 "...resident Ted Keller said he [Keller] has the right to speak because he is on the agenda."

 [Keller] "You couldn't have appointed a worse person for auditor because she is a witness for the prosecution against Jimmy, and he cannot have any contact with her. Why didn't you get any input from the people?

 "When others in the room tried to speak, Straley silenced them all and told the audience, '"There will be no arguing at my meetings."

 [Joel Rindy] "Your meeting? I thought this was our meeting."

 "Gussiaas again tried to speak, but Straley would not let him. Gussiaas then said, '"This is a public meeting, and I have the right to speak. I am on two different county boards, planning and zoning and soils committee, and I resign from both boards if I cannot speak at these public meetings.'"

 "County resident Josh Dreher tried to speak at the meeting, but was silenced by Straley who said, '"I am not recognizing you.'"

 "Joel Rindy asked if he could speak to the board, but Straley said no."

 "Murphy said Straley should allow Rindy to speak."

 "Straley pointed out to Murphy that in the Open Meetings Law, a board does not have to allow anyone to speak unless they are on the agenda."

 "Murphy agreed with Straley, but said that in the past people have always been allowed to speak."

 (Note: You can see the full article in the Foster County Independent's online edition by subscribing to their site at fostercountyindependent.com.)