Letter to the editor Lets have more council engagement on public comments

Frustration mounts among Edmonds residents as they feel the City Council routinely ignores their public comments, according to local citizen Joe Scordino. In his letter to the editor, Scordino recounts ten years of attending council meetings, noting that substantive input from informed citizens has increasingly been dismissed. He criticizes the practice of condensing comments into one-liners in meeting minutes, which often misrepresent the original feedback. To address this concern, Scordino proposes a dedicated discussion period at the end of public hearings for council members to engage with constituents' views. This change could improve transparency and accountability within the council and signal a commitment to valuing public input.

Additionally, the partnership between My Neighborhood News Network and the Verdant Health Commission to support local nonprofits exemplifies community engagement efforts. Organizations like Millennia Ministries are making tangible impacts by aiding over 9,000 clients this year alone. By fostering dialogue and collaboration, the council can enhance public trust and better serve the Edmonds community.