While she did not voice her refusal to attend, Warren County Commissioner Cindy Morrison did voice her opposition to upcoming town hall meetings being held by the commissioners.

Morrison took part in Monday’s commissioner work session via telephone. Near the end of that meeting, Commissioner Jeff Eggleston asked Morrison if she had any scheduling conflicts on the meeting dates and if she planned on attending.

Morrison initially spoke of prioritizing events on her schedule and her regular attendance at meetings held by various municipalities in the county.

Eggleston continued to seek an answer as to her intentions to attend, saying it was not too late to change any dates of scheduled town hall meetings in order to accommodate her attendance. “It’s fine if you don’t attend. We would just like to know,” Eggleston said. He also asked if she could provide an explanation if she did not attend. He told her that people asked where she was during last year’s town hall meetings.

Morrison replied that it wasn’t his responsibility to explain her actions. She then said that she disagreed with the political intent of the town hall meetings, adding that Eggleston admitted it in the Times Observer. “I want no part of politicking,” she said.

Morrison said the town hall meetings were intended as a way for Eggleston and Commissioner Ben Kafferlin to promote themselves.

Kafferlin denied Morrison’s allegations, defending the use of the term “political” and its origin from the Greek word “polis.”

Polis is a term used to describe a tight-knit, small community of ancient Greek citizens who agreed on certain rules and customs. Usually a polis was centered on a small town and the countryside that surrounded it.

“Everything we do is political. We conduct the affairs of the public,” Kafferlin said. He added that she may have meant to use the word “campaigning.” “That’s not what we’re doing,” he said.

The town hall meetings have been advertised on the county website as an opportunity for county residents to share their vision for the future and current projects as well as ask questions and express concerns.

The commissioners will host five meetings throughout the county from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the following dates and locations:

¯ Wednesday, July 11 at Sheffield Lion’s Den

¯ Thursday, July 26 at Columbus Fire Department Social Hall

¯ Wednesday, Aug. 1 at Scandia Social Hall (Old Scandia School)

¯ Wednesday Aug. 15 at Glade Fire Hall

¯ Thursday, Aug. 23 at Grand Valley Fire Dept., 12864 Route 27

The Town Hall Meetings are open to the public, will have some refreshments available and consist of presentations by the commissioners individually, followed by a guided question and answer section where citizens can offer topics of discussion and share concerns.