Cloverdale contemplates broadcasts

CLOVERDALE -- What was at first a unanimous "no" became a strong "maybe" when the Cloverdale Town Council discussed the idea of broadcasting its meetings on YouTube.

The idea had been brought up and swiftly tabled during the council's Dec. 29 meeting, and was discussed Tuesday. Clerk-Treasurer Cheryl Galloway said that the cost for filming and broadcast would be $12 per hour to pay Laura Hatten, a media contractor for Cloverdale, to post the video for all to see.

The proposal at first received a short denial. The Redevelopment Commission had already rejected the idea. But a comment from James McKee, a member of the audience who had come to report on the progress of the Plan/BZA Committee, saved the proposal from sudden death.

"I think you should probably consider it if you're wanting to attract younger people to get involved in the community," he said. "It'd be one way for the council to reach out to younger members of the community and let them become informed of what's going on. That's how millenials review stuff and get all their information."

Member Cindy Holland responded that young people should care enough to physically come to the meetings. Member Gary Bennington also remained against it, and member Larry Fidler expressed no change in opinion.

Although President Coweta Patton originally said she felt "uncomfortable" with the idea, she said after the meeting that it would be a chance to present the facts of council doings to the public. During the meeting, Vice President Don Sublett suggested performing a trial run and asking for viewer feedback.

The board voted to table the idea for three months, although Clerk-Treasurer Galloway said it could be discussed at any time between now and then. The Park Board has yet to discuss broadcasting its meeting.

"We'll still think about it," President Patton said. "Just keep it in the back of your mind."