Tom Carper: “Given the kind of budgetary challenges that we face, it is imperative that we do that.”

For too long, the seats have not been filled, and not been filled properly.

Public engagement can build trust, it can increase public buy-in, can help resolve issues, can help prevent litigation, and ultimately it can save time and money.

We are better off when we hear community concerns at the beginning of the process rather than at the end.

We will do it again. Maybe the next time we will actually make it to Columbia.