Early in 2024, I asked Borough Council to consider broadcasting Planning Commission meetings while they were undertaking the Rezoning review and the Gettysburg Station project. I mentioned the value of having a record of decisions made at these meetings, and not everyone can attend in person. I was told that it wasn’t in the 2024 budget. Manager Gable said that if they broadcast all the committees it would be $50,000. That was not the request. Local citizens funded the broadcasts themselves until the 2025 budget deliberation. Community Media costs $270 per meeting, including camera work, processing and posting on Community Media website, Facebook, and YouTube, plus live broadcasting via Comcast. During 2025 budget workshops this year, Council members declined to fund the broadcasts, saying the meetings are covered in the press, record it on your phone and post it somewhere on Facebook, people are welcome to attend the meetings. Mr. Moon said it was impossible to know how much to budget, and Mr. Gable repeated how expensive it would be to broadcast all the “ABCs”. That was not the question!
I couldn’t attend the 10/20/2024 budget workshop, but watched the video. I provided Council members with May through September viewership number averages per meeting: Youtube 50, Facebook 386, Community Website 195. 631 average views per meeting – impressive! Plus Comcast live views. The meetings have been well attended in person, also. At the next budget workshop, I responded to the previous comments by Council. Two other commenters attended – the GARA director, and someone seeking $2500 for a movie in the park. The proposed budget shows $1,250 for the movie, and GARA also received funding. I could not find any allocation for Planning Commission broadcasts, which was discussed under category 409, Training, conferences, etc. I did see $2500, for travel to Japan for a ceremony. On the 10/20/24 video, $1400 for gifts for Japan was also mentioned.
Private citizens have stepped up during 2024 to fund this important item. The total spent for May through November is $2,700 including two HARB meetings. 631 people per meeting watched. Not everyone can attend meetings in person, but that doesn’t mean they should be left out. If you value the ability to be informed via these broadcasts, please contact your Borough Council member ASAP and let them know how important this is to you. The budget vote is Monday, December 9.
Susan Cipperly is a professional land use planner who has lived in Gettysburg for 25 years. She considers her involvement in local planning and zoning issues a way to contribute to the borough in general, and to maintain neighborhoods in particular.