Sangamon County citizens voice opinions at Massey Commission session
- The first Massey Commission Listening Session took place on a Monday night, allowing citizens to express their views to the co-chairs.
- Twenty-five speakers shared their concerns and hopes, with many emphasizing the need for the commission to be effective.
- The session provided valuable insights for the co-chairs, who are preparing to appoint additional board members soon.
On a Monday night, citizens of Sangamon County gathered for the inaugural Massey Commission Listening Session, which lasted nearly three hours. This event allowed community members to voice their concerns and aspirations directly to the commission's co-chairs, Dr. Jerry Kruse and Pastor T. Ray McJunkins, as well as potential future board members. A total of twenty-five speakers, including family members of Sonya Massey, shared their thoughts with an audience of over one hundred attendees. Many speakers expressed a desire for the commission to be effective in addressing community issues, with Joann Johnson emphasizing the need for the commission to have the necessary authority to enact change. Breonna Roberts echoed this sentiment, highlighting the potential for the commission to positively impact Springfield's future if it is led by the right individuals and supported with adequate resources. These personal stories and insights provided valuable feedback for the co-chairs to consider. Dr. Kruse acknowledged the emotional weight of the speakers' experiences, affirming that their voices had been heard and understood. He also mentioned that Nina Harris, the third co-chair, was not present at the session but had successfully fulfilled her role in the commission's formation. He indicated that a new co-chair or co-chairs would be appointed soon. The full twelve-member board of the Massey Commission has yet to be announced, but Sangamon County officials have indicated that this will happen shortly. The County Board is scheduled to hold a monthly meeting on Wednesday night, where community members will have another opportunity to participate in public comment.