Communications Merit Badge: Attending A Public Meeting

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Communications Merit Badge
Towards Communications Merit Badge Requirement 5, several of our scouts attended a public forum on Maui hosted by members of the Hawaii State legislature.

As the sun set, the scouts reached the meeting site at Pukalani Elementary school.
Pukalani view
(below) The legislative panel opens the meeting by addressing the audience.
Legislative Panel
Engle notates while Holter speaks Troop 22 Treasurer Marie Quindica-Cuomo addresses panel Turner & Holmberg address Rep. Berg
(left) John takes notes as a Mr. Lance Holter testifies.
(center) Troop 22 committee treasurer Marie Quindica-Cuomo voices a concern to the panel.
(right) A couple of Scouts pose questions to Rep. Lyla Berg (Dist. 18, Hawaii Kai-Oahu).

Several members of the Troop used the occasion to ask questions of the legislators, listen to the concerns of other residents, and afterwards discuss how such public forums promote communication between citizens and their government. In particular, attention was given to how members of a special interest group attempted to monopolize the public testimony period to highlight their point of view.

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