In between hours-long back-to-back public meetings on Monday, Aug. 18, two Beaufort County council members exchanged their genuine grievances about some of the county’s operations. The conversation — never meant for public ears — offered a rare, candid insight into council members’ thoughts on the county’s struggles with housing, development and efficiency.
While council members gathered in the Arthur Horne Building in Beaufort got up to stretch their legs or take a phone call, former Council Chair Joe Passiment and former Vice Chair Larry McElynn, who joined the meeting virtually, chatted casually about their frustrations.
The council members were not aware that their conversation could be heard by people watching the meetings online…