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Supervisors discussed meeting time changes for about forty minutes before voting 3-2 to change to evening meetings.

The opportunity to make government more accessible to more of Botetourt citizens won the day on a 3-2 vote. Night meetings will commence in January of 2009 so decided the Botetourt County Board of Supervisors at their regular meeting on September 23. With some discussion and fanfare, the board decided to favor the night meetings.

The same arguments from last month came from Buchanan Supervisor Terry Austin who also added in that he will go to his son’s sporting events if he has to choose between that and a board meeting and he also spoke to the Fincastle Herald issue as being an important component of keeping meetings during the day. Board Chairman Don Assaid of the Valley District read a prepared statement from Ed McCoy, editor of the Fincastle Herald, saying that current day meetings work and the planners meet in the evening. "What better way to serve than the planners in the evening and you in the afternoon."

Fincastle District's Don Meredith concurred that none of his constituents, save one, wanted a night meeting. Blue Ridge Rep Billy Martin, who brought the idea forth in July, presented The Botetourt View online poll where 65 of 72 respondents voted for night meetings as well as he received calls and email both for and against. He also read a list of other area governmental entities that have night meetings and the majority of them meet at night. Supervisors Steve Clinton and Don Assaid both echoed the idea of better participation and opportunity for more public participation whether it happens or not, the opportunity is there.

After the Walgreen’s decision was brought back from defeat in the July meeting, the board asked County Administrator Jerry Burgess to looking into evening meetings.

Last month, Burgess returned with a proposal that would begin regular meetings around 2 p.m. and public hearings in the evening hours to 6 p.m.

Several citizens spoke in favor of the night meetings including Bob Bagnoli who said, “I’m elderly, but I am here. You have to demonstrate you want more participation and right now that isn’t the case. Free and equal participation is a way to show you care. Have night meetings.”

Three town councils in Botetourt County and the school board all elected positions, also meet at night. The Planning Commission of appointees meets at night. Former Buchanan Mayor Rex Kelly echoed Austin and Meredith in “You can hold meetings at night but people can only come when they are affected.”

The opponents of the measure, Meredith and Austin reminded the body that the evening meeting has been tried before without much success. When asked when that was, County Administrator Burgess said in the late 1970s. Assaid remarked, “Well things have changed here a great deal here in Botetourt in thirty years.” Alvin Thacker of the Ashley Plantation Homeowner's Association suggested more advertising to make the public aware. The board seemed to like the idea.

When Martin made the motion to change meetings from the current day time to 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. public hearings, he, Assaid and Clinton voted for the measure and Meredith and Austin voted against.