Another Year, Another Chance to Choose

It's been a year since the Christiansburg Town Council last "organized" itself -- electing a Vice Mayor and setting regular meeting dates.

It's been eight months since the Montgomery County Public School board held their similar, annual organizational meeting.

For at least a decade, these two public bodies have held meetings on the same nights at the same time.  For several years now, both public bodies have been asked to consider shifting their meetings to eliminate this conflict.  Neither will blink.

Council often recognizes student athletes who attend schools located in Christiansburg -- yet are funded solely by the county.  Sometimes the special guests have been absent, because they're attending that other meeting. 

Council doesn't directly support school athletic programs either, but many of their members have long vested interests in some of these activities due to an affiliation with one local civic group. 

Two sitting Council members have young children attending public schools.  They should be able to attend those meetings without foregoing their duty to the town if they should so choose.  Several other town staffers who regularly attend council meetings also have children in these schools.  They should have the same choice. 

Citizens of Christiansburg who have children in MCPS shouldn't have to choose which meeting to attend.   This isn't how you show support for your elected peers or the principles of open government. 

Christiansburg Town Council members have a choice -- and again are being asked to consider moving their meetings from the first and third Tuesday of each month to the second and fourth Tuesday of each month.  It's time for one group to blink, and is Christiansburg's turn at bat.