Whether you are at your house down the street from the Door County Government building or several time zones away, you will be able to continue participating in Door County Board meetings remotely.

Whether you are at your house down the street from the Door County Government building or several time zones away, you will be able to continue participating in Door County Board meetings remotely. The Door County Board of Supervisors voted 17-4 to change their Rules of Order to allow remote comment at meetings. Supervisors David Englebert (District 1), Todd Thayse (District 2), Nancy Robillard (District 4), and Dan Austad (District 9) were the dissenting votes in amending the Rules of Order, which also eliminates the need to sign in and speak, the “first come, first serve” rule, and the allowance of public comment from people who did not sign in prior to the meeting. Those attending the meeting in person will still get to speak first. Public comment was shared by speakers attending remotely and through their respective supervisors. One asked Supervisor Nissa Norton (District 12) if Pony Express or passenger pigeon would be alternatives if remote comment was taken away. Joel Gunnlaugsson of District 21 said the topic was among the stupidest topics they have ever covered, adding that any tool that can connect constituents to their government officials should be used.

Thayse, who voted against the amendment, cited the growth of artificial intelligence and the power of in-person comments as the reasons why the topic was brought to the administrative committee.

The remote open comment portion of the meeting was born out of the early stages of the pandemic when local municipalities still needed to conduct meetings but public participation was deemed to be too risky. Tuesday’s vote cleared up conflicts that were created within the Rules of Order as a result.

Screenshot from Door County Board meeting Zoom feed