Working and can’t make a 9 a.m. meeting to tell Jefferson County commissioners what you think?

Would 7 p.m. work better? Commissioners hope a series of night meetings will give residents they haven’t heard from an opportunity to talk about issues of concern.

The first of four outreach meetings is on Monday, Jan. 11 at the Jefferson County Library in Port Hadlock. Other meetings are set for Monday, Jan. 25 at Port Ludlow Fire Hall; Thursday, Feb. 11 at Port Townsend Community Center; and Monday, March 1 at Quilcene Community Center. All start at 7 p.m.

Several frequent commentators spoke out Monday in support of commissioners going on the road and hearing what others have to say. Democrat Bill Miller thanked the board for the meetings.

And so did Jim Tracy, a frequent critic. Tracy is an attorney who drives from Kitsap County regularly on behalf of Fred Hill Materials and Thorndyke Resources, which are seeking permits to construct a pier south of the Hood Canal Bridge and barge gravel from property owned by Pope Resources.

In praising the board for taking the meetings out of Port Townsend and into the rural areas, Tracy also joked that Jefferson County was taking a “giant leap into the late 20th century.”

County commissioners typically start their Monday morning sessions with a half-hour public comment period, which often includes suggestions for how the board can improve and change its ways. Most of the people are known to commissioners, and most comment on specific subjects.

Commissioner David Sullivan, Democrat from District 2 who lives in Cape George – was re-elected by fellow Commissioners John Austin and Phil Johnson to serve as chairman for another year.

Sullivan has been chairman for the past two years. Austin asked Sullivan to take the seat one more year, and Johnson concurred. Austin, who is in his fourth year, has not been chairman of the board. He is up for re-election this year.