Because I report on government and school board activities, I believe that I’m part of the process as an American citizen. That is, I observe and ask questions of supervisors or council members when they meet to discuss and take action. In turn, the reporters who cover the area where I live keep me informed of what my representatives there are doing.

Last Tuesday, though, was disappointing.

Faced with the choice of two meetings inadvertently scheduled about the same time that night, I chose first to attend a town hall in the Windsor Ruritan Clubhouse. County representatives were going to be available to answer people’s questions on topics such as Isle2040 and the new proposal for Route 460.

Knowing how much interest the road project has generated in the past few years, I was sure that several area residents would be there and have something to say.

When I arrived, there was only one person there who was not with the County or the press.

I felt bad for the people who had set up the meeting, which was announced weeks in advance, but only to be largely ignored.

Calling that ‘sad’ is putting it mildly.

Some of the people at the town hall were more understanding, and even blamed the weather.

True, there was some rain and it was cold, but there were several more hours before it could potentially become hazardous.

But there’s good news after all. Residents of the southern part of Isle of Wight have a chance to redeem themselves. County representatives are scheduled to host another Town Hall meeting today, Jan. 21, at 6 p.m. in the Walters Ruritan Building.

I am hopeful that I will see more of you then.

STEPHEN H. COWLES is a staff writer for The Tidewater News. He can be contacted at 562-3187 or stephen.cowles@tidewaternews.com