I want assistance conducting a minimum one-hour observation of a public meeting. The meeting can be of a committee, commission, council, etc. I have to take notes during the observation, including what issues were covered, and what positions are taken on them. This can also be done by observing a meeting on government access television, if it is available.
Task: Select one of the issues discussed during the meeting to focus on, and research it in depth. I need to be able to answer the following questions:
Q1. What position(s) on the issue were expressed in the meeting, and by whom?
Q2. How has this issue been addressed, if at all, in local or state elections? What did the voters say?
Q3. What interest groups take part in the dialogue regarding this issue? How have interest groups attempted to influence this issue?
Q4. What is your feeling regarding popular opinion on the issue?
Provide a personal opinion of the communication in this public meeting? Do you think the dialogue in the meeting accurately reflected the public's views on the issue? How might the process for citizens to communicate with local government be improve?