“We always want to make sure that we have involvement from the constituents,” Mayor of Hastings Highlands Vic Bodnar says.
There is a question period held at the end of council, but thanks to a motion by Deputy Mayor Tracy Hagar, another one will be held at the start. The 10 to 15 minute period will allow attendees to get clarification on what will be talked about during that meeting. “It’s a matter of going back to the transparency and accountability of things that we want to have happen,” Bodnar says about the change.
This isn’t the only accessibility-related move the municipality is making. A night meeting is slated to be held on May 29th at 6 PM in Emond Hall. Bodnar says that with council holding meetings at 9 AM, it doesn’t allow for many residents to take part. A night meeting opens council up to everyone that wants to attend.