Dawsonville city council member Mark French and Mayor Mike Eason are spearheading an effort to create a dedicated time during meetings for citizens to address the council and other city boards and authorities. Currently citizens are not provided the opportunity to speak in front of the council during meetings except for during public hearings in which anyone can speak on the specific agenda item being addressed. French said he drew from other city and county public comment policies, resources from the Carl Vinson Institute of Government at the University of Georgia and his own personal experience of more than 20 years in local government to draft his proposed policy. “If approved, it will provide the residents of Dawsonville an opportunity to be heard," he said. "Speaking on behalf of myself as a public servant, I see it as my duty to ensure that the residents of Dawsonville have a city government that not only values but welcomes their input.”