ARE YOU BEING HEARD...CORRECTLY?

Those of you who have testified at public hearings: Have you ever given thought to whether or not your words have been correctly documented in the written record? While the Clerks do a very good job of rendering minutes, it might be worth your while to proof your comments in draft form before they are approved and become the official record.

Just a word or two inadvertently omitted--"not," for instance--can make a significant difference in perceived intent. Well, yah! But this has actually happened in the past! Once the minutes are approved, they stay the way they are. Something about the error could be mentioned in a subsequent meeting's minutes, but good luck in that ever really being connected and making an impact. In spite of all benign intentions of those involved. 

ad·mit

ədˈmit/

verb

1. 1.

   confess to be true or to be the case, typically with reluctance.

   "the office finally admitted that several prisoners had been injured"

   synonyms:

   confess, acknowledge, own, concede, grant, accept, allow;

AND

con·fess

kənˈfes/

verb

1. admit or state that one has committed a crime or is at fault in some way.

   "he confessed that he had attacked the old man"

   synonyms:

   admit, acknowledge, reveal, disclose, divulge, avow, declare, profess;More

   • admit or acknowledge something reluctantly, typically because one feels slightly ashamed or embarrassed.

     "I must confess that I was slightly surprised"

In another example, Yours Truly once was characterized as having "admitted" something at a hearing. See above. WRONG! I stated something. Thankfully, I was involved in meetings, read the draft, and protested the slant. The Planning Commission heard me and changed the text. It is of note, however, that if I hadn't said something, I would have gone down in history so to speak with all the connotations attached. After all, who has the greatest interest in making sure the minutes are accurate when it comes to your testimony?

Words make a difference!

Now that you are informed of the opportunity to read the draft minutes and are afforded the opportunity to do so, whether online, at Town Hall, or on your requested hard copy, it would be a good thing to do after a public hearing at which you spoke. Since you are the speaker, it makes sense that you can always request that the audio recording be checked again if you have an objection. Of course, what you said, IS what you said.