CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — A Nueces County Commissioner believes Corpus Christi City Council meetings should re-open to the public.
Precinct 1 Commissioner Carolyn Vaughn voiced her concerns in front of Corpus Christi City Hall at noon Tuesday, the time when the council hears public comment.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic started, anyone wanting to make a comment has to do so in writing or over the phone, and the time limit for comments has been reduced from three minutes to one.
Vaughn, who is running for Corpus Christi mayor, said other government bodies have found ways to safely welcome the public back to meetings, and it’s time the city did the same.
“That is the only platform that our citizens have,” she said. “The (county commissioners) court did it, we put shields (in place). This is the only entity that I see that hasn’t done it. I mean, their voices need to be heard.”
Vaughn points to the recent vote to approve a loan for a desalination plant as an issue the public should have been allowed to comment on.
She’s contacted state legislators, including Rep. J.M. Lozano, to hold public hearings on the desal issue.