Commissioners Richard Bettencourt and Robbie Scattini had the
best attendance records, as they attended every meeting. Mark
Tognazzini missed four meetings, Gordon Machado missed two meetings
and Dan DeVries missed five meetings.
Editor’s note: This is part of a continuing series on attendance rates of local boards.
HOLLISTER
The San Benito County Planning Commission as a whole had an attendance rate of 90 percent for the past year, according to agenda minutes from Dec. 5 of last year until Nov. 19 of this year.
During that period, the commission held 21 regular meetings with a total of 11 absences among the five commission members – or a 90 percent attendance rate.
Commissioners held one special meeting during that period March 6, which had perfect attendance. It was noted in the meeting minutes, however, that in that meeting, commissioner Dan DeVries arrived at 1:36 p.m. and left at 2:10 p.m. The meeting concluded at 3:00 p.m.
Commissioners Richard Bettencourt and Robbie Scattini had the best attendance records, as they attended every meeting. Mark Tognazzini missed four meetings, Gordon Machado missed two meetings and DeVries missed five meetings.
Scattini said that “90 percent is good, but it could be better.”
“When a person is asked to be on these commissions, I think that if they take it, they should ask themselves if they can make all of the meetings,” he said.
Also noted in the meeting minutes was that Tognazzini’s absence on July 16 was excused. Scattini said that Tognazzini was on a pre-approved hunting trip out of town.
Machado said that he was unable to attend the two meetings because of a conference out of town and there was nothing he could have done to be there.
“The conferences were for the good of the community,” Machado said. He added that the 90 percent attendance rate for the commission was a good number.
“You always like it to be 100 percent, but 90 percent isn’t bad,” he said.
Scattini said he makes an effort to attend all the meetings and comes well prepared.
“I do believe in attending all the meetings and I make an effort to make all the meetings,” Scattini said. “Although, I do understand that people have to miss.”
He added that his commitment is important enough to him to attend meetings although he may feel ill.
