Tweets,

I've just sent the following email to Virginia Swanson, the Special
Events Committee chair. She has notified people that only invited
experts will be allowed to speak. That defeats the purpose of a
public hearing, locking out public opinion and debate and
discouraging people from attending unless they're content just to be
another body in the crowd.

We surely need as many bodies there as possible, but let's put on the
pressure today for them to accept ALL public comment. Also, if we can
find out who's been invited to speak, it may help us in lobbying for
the airing of essential opinions.

>Hi Virginia,
>
>I am a local bird photographer and nature sound recording engineer.
>For years I have been visiting the Montlake Fill area and
>documenting some of the bird activities there.
>
>I have been participating in current community discussion about the
>potential damage from the discharge of fireworks in Union Bay during
>nesting season. I will be attending the public meeting tomorrow (May
>2). Since this meeting is public, and no other venue for public
>comment has been afforded by your committee, I respectfully but
>strongly urge that you allow public commentary at the meeting.
>Please do not exclude input from the many community members who,
>while not official "experts," are dedicated birders with many years'
>experience observing our local bird life. These people are actually
>responsible for much of our collective knowledge about bird
>populations and behaviors.
>
>Please assure me that time will be allotted for public commentary
>during the meeting. And please put me on the roster of those who will comment.
>
>As time is of the essence, please call or email me by 1 p.m. with
>permission to speak to the committee. I need enough time to collect
>my notes and prepare some visual aids documenting the use of the
>Montlake Fill by nesting species.
>
>Please also let me know which experts you have invited to speak.
>
>Sincerely,
>
>Marc Hoffman



Marc Hoffman
Kirkland, WA
http://www.dartfrogmedia.com
mailto:tweeters at dartfrogmedia.com