Hamilton County Commissioner Tim Boyd from District 8
Hamilton County Commissioner Joe GrahamEvening meetings of local municipal leaders are better attended than morning meetings of county commissioners, but elected officials are split over whether time of day impacts access to government gatherings for John Q. Public.
Pam Ladd, chairwoman of the Chattanooga City Council, says weekly council meetings — which are held after normal business hours — are very well attended by residents. But she said issues at hand play a larger role in drawing crowds.
“Our reach is just closer to neighborhoods and closer to residents. … I would think more than time of day, it would be issues covered,” Ladd said.
At the other end of the spectrum, East Ridge Councilman Marc Gravitt attributed that city’s packed evening meetings specifically to scheduling.
“Absolutely, I think the time of day has a lot to do with it. Most people work 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. If they approach their boss and ask for time off … to go to a council meeting, that’s not likely going to work,” Gravitt said.