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306 Mr. Norton <br />307 Mr. Norton reiterated his comments that he didn't understand this process; that it was not interactive, and <br />308 didn't represent communication and didn't make any sense; and that he was unable to understand the <br />309 purpose of the Public Hearing to achieve some policy goal. Mr. Norton reiterated that it would be better <br />310 to allow a dialogue between the Board and audience to allow better understanding of the GLWMO <br />311 Board's rationale; and opined that the public deserved the right to know things such as how the Plan's <br />312 content was developed in the first place, and why it as included; and further opined that until that <br />313 conversation could happen, there was no way for the public to participate in the process. Mr. Norton <br />314 advised that it was the public's intent that things work better and be as good as they could be. <br />315 <br />316 Mr. Petersen asked Mr. Norton if he had read the Plan. <br />317 <br />318 Mr. Norton advised that he had not read the Plan in its entirety; but had focused on concerns about Lake <br />319 Owasso, while understanding that the GLWMO was much larger than just Lake Owasso, and that there <br />320 were more sources of problems with water quality than what was happening on the lake in a given <br />321 moment. Mr. Norton admitted that he had only heard of tonight's Public Hearing through a friend of a <br />322 friend; and had never had any direct communication from the GLWMO about any planning activities <br />323 going on or an invitation to participate in those conversations. <br />324 <br />325 Mr. Petersen yet again reviewed the numerous meetings held over the last year seeking public comment; <br />326 as well as the multiple media sources available during the process to alert the public to the process in <br />327 updating the ten (10) year Plan, including seeking assistance from area lake associations for input and <br />328 disseminating meeting information to their constituency. <br />329 <br />330 Mr. Norton noted that he was attending at the last minute, but stated that he was a busy guy just like <br />331 everyone else, and hadn't been aware of what was occurring. However, Mr. Norton stated that he was <br />332 here now, but was frustrated that he couldn't have the conversation he desired; however, he opined that if <br />333 the Plan was going to be revised and resubmitted, there should be another opportunity for additional <br />334 public comment. <br />335 <br />336 Mr. Petersen noted that the thoughts of the GLWMO Board were clearly documented in the Plan and its <br />337 proposed implementation strategies and goals for the next decade; and reiterated that the purpose of <br />338 tonight's Public Hearing was to receive the affected public's reaction to that implementation plan. <br />339 <br />340 Mr. Norton questioned if the Plan was not intended to be changed. <br />341 <br />342 Mr. Petersen advised that there would be a few changes based on comment from review agencies, as well <br />343 as public input. <br />344 <br />345 Mr. Norton suggested that his obligation appeared to go to the State and way the process was not <br />346 working, and to seek additional time for public comment in order to have a means to direct the outcome <br />347 of the Plan. Mr. Norton expressed his respect for the GLWMO Board's statutory requirements; however, <br />348 he stated that his confusion was related to why the GLWMO Board, as an official body, appeared to not <br />349 be interested in making the process work for its citizens. Mr. Norton invited the Board to try to do that; <br />350 or suggested that maybe citizens needed to talk to their elected officials about the process to allow <br />351 sufficient and beneficial input and harmonious results. <br />352 <br />353 Mr. Petersen questioned what type of communication method would have been effective beyond or in <br />354 place of what the GLWMO Board had attempted to reach citizens. <br />355 <br />7 <br />