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 Read comments (16)Cape County commissioner wants meetings to be broadcastFriday, February 1, 2008Jay Purcell wants live Internet broadcasts of Cape Girardeau County Commission meetings. Purcell, planning a campaign to retain the county seat he's held for three years, blindsided fellow commissioners Thursday morning with a suggestion to install an Internet camera, called a webcam, in their meeting room.
Purcell wants commission meetings aired live, recorded and archived. He said webcasting is one way to reach the county's more than 70,000 residents. He envisions each commissioner with a laptop computer, able to incorporate messages from the audience into the discussions. Road and bridge advisory commission meetings could also be broadcast. "It will help the county move to the next level of credibility," Purcell said. The plan could be implemented as part of a Web site upgrade. Purcell asked the county's information technology director, Eric McGowan, to gather estimates for the costs for a formal presentation to the board in February. Purcell suggested the initial investment would be around $15,000, with monthly fees for the archives. Commissioner Larry Bock wanted specifics on costs and wondered if the camera could be turned off. But he said broadcasting meetings would not likely change the commission's ability to do business. "You couldn't talk as freely. There's certain comments about things that are not just decided that shouldn't be talked about in public," he said during a Thursday phone interview. "That's exactly why we need a webcam," Purcell said, suggesting that webcasting would a "drastic difference in what occurs" and "provide citizens with true, real-life reporting. There's no disputing what the camera and audio would say. Everything we do in those sessions are public ... If someone says they would have to change their behavior because of a camera, they might want to rethink what they're doing." Jones is unconvinced of the value. "Here's a real problem. A lot of people say, 'If you want more information, just plug into our Web site.' A hell of a lot of people don't have a computer or know how to use it. Most older folks don't, starting with my mother and continuing with me," he said. "My wife's got a computer, and she does all that stuff." The Missouri Legislature webcasts the audio of its sessions; Cape Girardeau City Council meetings air live on Channel 5 and are rebroadcast each week. Jones called those "a whole lot different." "All of our business is in-house. Rarely does anyone come into our meetings outside of an office holder or a department head," Jones said. Commissioners often speak quite freely during meetings, on topics that other government bodies reserve for closed sessions. Missouri's Sunshine law allows for, but does not require, closed sessions to discuss sensitive topics such as litigation, personnel and real estate transactions. "I went for 12 years without a closed meeting. I don't believe in closed meetings," Jones said. He would consider the possibility of webcasts, depending on the cost. "I'm willing to listen. We've never had anybody to inquire about it," he said. "This is the first time it ever came up." 335-6611, extension 127 Comments
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I wander...did our forefathers try to stop anyone from writing down the Declaration of Independence because most folks couldn't read/write at that time? Adjusted for time and technology, it seems like that's what a couple of these commissioners are trying to say about the elderly and computers...If they are that out of touch with today's world, we all need to do some housecleaning this next election!
This whole article says a lot about Gerald Jones, doesn't it? "A city council meeting is a 'whole lot different' than a county commission meeting?" Isn't HE the one that wants to turn our county into a county-operated-like-a-city (county ordinances, county zoning, etc.)? He likes taking all that $$ we pay him but doesn't think it's important for the people to know what is going on? Any elected official who is worried that more information in the hands of constituents isn't a good thing needs to take a hike...his comments sound more like something that would come out of Berkeley, CA, not Jackson, MO!
How can you tell when a politician is lying? when his lips are moving..........
Maybe they want to discuss privately the ability to take people's land and annex it into the city without so many knowing?!?
What are they afraid of?
Not sure how i feel about Jay's Idea. Food for thought....I would think some things need talked about privatley, that the public need not hear, such as heated discussion and disagreements. On the other hand, citizens have the right to know most things of interest to them. Maybe a closed meeting would be in order for talking about new idea's before the actual meeting of decision happens. Give it some good thought.
Swan,
The public library has computer access. And yes I do realize that some people are homebound and can't do that. My Mother and Dad do not have internet access, but I always make them aware of things of interest.
Webcam or not,all three of them need to GO!
Its time for a change in Our County Commission positions.Purcell's timely announcement for more accountability is too little too late!Nothing more then a typical political manuever.Surely everyone can see through this ploy.There are some very qualified candidates running for these positions.I hope everyone doesn't vote the name they are most familiar with and actually
do some research before they excersise their right to vote.
Jones should hold the meetings in the middle of the week at night if he's really interested in people attending them. I've been interested in attending a few on various topics over the years, but they are all held during the day when most folks work. Hey Jones, have the meetings in the evenings like city councils do.
Well I am plesed to see that Presiding Commissioner Gerald Jones wants to pray about it!???!!!
"My God......" If the meetings always have God's name being used in vain........I can see why some of them don't want cameras in the room!
Keep going Mr. Purcell!
Way to go Purcell, bring it all out. Sounds like Larry Bock doesn't want to public to know all that they discuss, just some. . . .
you'd be surprise as to how many folks in Cape Girardeau DO NOT have the money for a computer .
this whole deal came down so quick--the early bird may get the worm but it's the second mouse to the mousetrap that gets the free cheese.
i think it is a great idea. with the opposition that jones and bock are expressing i have to wonder what they are worried about hiding or not wanting to broadcast to the people of cape county. what an excuse that alot of people dont have a computer--get out of the dark ages
live Internet broadcasts of Cape Girardeau County Commission meetings"
City Council and School Board meetings too please! (Some taxpayers do not have Charter Cable, the opt no service or satellite service.
One more thing! The majority of the people in the United States knows how to use a computer and if you and your mother don't take a class. That is just absolutely just about the dumbest remark I've ever heard and really shows just how dumb you really are.
This sounds like a great ideal to me. What's the matter Jones and Bock are you afraid everyone will see you can't do your job or that there is some underhandedness amoung you? If there is nothing to hide what difference does it make? I think it will make you accountable for your actions and cut down on a whole lot of nonsense that goes on with some of you that should have left a long time ago. Get rid of the good ol boy, grease your palm attitude that some of you have gotten away with for years. Way to go Jay it's about time!