Betty Lou Ward: Residents can be involved in county decisions

The Wake County Board of Commissioners has a long history of using special committees to look into key community issues. Among the most memorable are the Blue Ribbon Committee on the Future of Wake County, the Facility Advisory Committee and the Growth Issues Task Force, which I chaired in 2008.

Through my tenure as a commissioner, these committees have been resoundingly successful because they involve key stakeholders as well as the public. Participants learn the ins and outs of an issue, examine many details and collaborate to make recommendations on the best path forward for the community as a whole.

The Citizens Committee on County Representation that is now forming will use the same concept and include dozens of people. I firmly believe the 3CR will find a representation strategy that is both fair and widely supported.

If anyone is interested in joining me in serving our community, please take the time to fill out a brief interest form on the county’s website, wakegov.com, or contact any of the county commissioners. We are here to serve every resident and would be glad to help someone become involved.

This story was originally published March 28, 2015 at 4:00 PM with the headline "Betty Lou Ward: Residents can be involved in county decisions."