Local Officials Tweet, Text During Meetings

Local officials are doing a lot more than just listening while they’re in important government meetings.

Eyewitness News anchor Blair Miller found that some officials spend time focused on their phones, texting or surfing the Internet. It’s a common sight at Mecklenburg County Commission meetings and Charlotte City Council meetings.

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During a January city council meeting, councilman David Howard focused on his phone during a presentation from Charlotte tourism officials.

In that same meeting, Patrick Cannon shared a message on his Blackberry with fellow Councilman Michael Barnes.

In a January county commission meeting, Commissioner Dumont Clarke frequently checked his e-mails and text messages. And while Commissioner Karen Bently expressed concerns about the budget, George Dunlap checked his Blackberry. Even Harry Jones, the county manager, was using his smart phone during the meeting.

City Councilman Warren Cooksey is known to update Twitter, a social networking site, during meetings. But he said he uses the site as a tool for keeping constituents informed, and is still able to pay attention to what’s happening in meetings.

“Well, I don't [update Twitter] while people are speaking to us,” Cooksey said. “If you watch, I will always focus my attention on the member of public who's speaking to council.”

In a January meeting, Eyewitness News found Cooksey tweeting while speakers were giving presentations.

He said when it comes to certain speakers, like the transit officials who were speaking during the meeting in question; he is already up to speed on the topic at hand. That allows him to switch his focus.

“I would like to think I can watch and listen at the same time,” he said.

County commissioner Vilma Leake doesn’t think attention can be so easily divided.

“How are you going to listen?” she asked. “You cannot do both.”

Leake finds the trend frustrating.

“My concern is what you aren’t paying attention to,” she said. “Your constituents put you here in this seat to do just that: pay attention, get information.”

Jennifer Roberts, the commission chair, said she has gotten complaints from constituents about commissioners using their phones in meetings.

“The public wants to be listened to, [people] want to know that they have our attention,” she said. “We have to make sure that we look up and connect with those speakers.”

Eyewitness News reached out to the officials who were observed using their phones during meetings.

Dumont Clarke sent the following response:

“…It would be difficult for anyone like me to serve in public office unless I had the flexibility to occasionally communicate by e-mail during meetings. Unlike some commissioners, I am not retired and have a very demanding, time-sensitive, competitive business law practice."

Roberts said she genuinely believes most lawmakers are using their phones to get information relevant to the discussion. She also acknowledged that it's up to her to make sure speakers aren't being ignored. But, she noted, members of the public can also help.

“Constituents have to help police this,” she said. “Call people out if they're obviously being rude.”

Leake plans to do her part at the county commission meeting next month. She said she will bring the issue up then.