On June 14, I spoke again to the board of supervisors bringing up the following points:

The supervisors sit on a raised platform and speak at length on anything they wish. 

The citizens who can attend the 1:30 p.m. meetings and wish to speak have three minutes to speak. We can ask questions, but we get no answers. We can quote from the Code of Virginia or an IRS publication, but it doesn’t seem to matter.

Our comments are never included in the minutes. If you want to know what is said, you have to request a CD, drive to Charlotte Court House before 5 p.m. to pick it up and pay $1.

The county administrator, R.B. Clark, and five of the supervisors regularly eat lunch before the meetings and our tax dollars pay for it. 

Why do I think this is wrong? 

First, the supervisors actually should be working for us, not dictating to us. We elected them. The supervisors should humbly be serving the citizens of Charlotte County.

Secondly, meetings are held at 1:30 p.m., a time when most people, other than those of us who are retired, are working.

Seventy-five counties in Virginia hold meetings at 4 p.m. or later. Why not Charlotte County? Don’t they want the citizens there? No, I believe most do not.

Thirdly, they don’t include citizen comments in the minutes. I went online and read minutes from all the other counties in Virginia.

A few were not online, so I called those counties.

My research shocked me. All counties in Virginia — except Charlotte — include some mention of citizens’ comments. I have repeatedly asked the same for Charlotte.

One supervisor told me directly they were “not interested in my research.” How about you? 

Lastly, some of the “fuss” is about meals. We have repeatedly asked them to stop eating and making us pay for it. They ignore us.

So, I will continue to expose some of what I have found out through the Freedom of Information Act. Clark, has repeatedly charged meals to the county without noting any business purpose or who attended.

Another example of what I believe is abuse: Chairman Haywood Hamlet, Supervisor Nancy Carwile and former employee Susan Adams, while at the VACO meeting, ate at a Richmond steakhouse on Aug. 14, 2014, at a cost to the taxpayers of $140.12.

How do you feel about these three spending $140.12 on a meal and charging to you?

I have receipt if you would like a copy. 

Those in power don’t seem to be listening.

I believe the citizens of Charlotte County don’t want to continue to be governed this way.

I believe in transparency and accountability.

I believe the good people of Charlotte County will stand up. I believe changes will come about — one way or the other. I believe in “we the people.” Do you? 

Kay Pierantoni is a guest columnist and a Wylliesburg resident. She can be reached at kmpierantoni@gmail.com.