by Janet Blanding

Who needs to hear from the public when you already have a "mandate"?

If you want to tell the Olympia City Council about how Mt. Rainier is about to erupt and we had all better put on our lava-proof hats, you will be given three minutes at the beginning of the meeting. If you want to plug your upcoming pie-eating contest or say you like the new trees on Legion Way, they’re happy to hear about it. But if you want to address important community issues being decided by the city council, you may find yourself gagged.

Concerned community members lining up outside the hearing room at the Olympia Center for the Planning Commission Hearing

The 277 local residents who lined up first, filling the hearing room to capacity.

Filling the hearing room to capacity.