To the editor:

Polk County citizens now have a true opportunity to express themselves to their commissioners.

One of the first orders of business for the newly elected board of county commissioners was to lift the constraints of the previous board’s 3-minute rule for public comments.

To some citizens the old time limit may have been adequate to express their views on an agenda item. But walking up to a podium in a room full of people, being the center of attention can be extremely nerve racking to say the least.

It may take time to gain composure to give comments to the board to express thoughts, knowing that those thoughts have been communicated and understood. It is my hope that lifting the time limit will encourage more citizens to participate in local government, contributing to the decisions that shape Polk County’s future.

– Michael Gage, Polk County Commissioner chairman