The Independent Review misrepresented 2nd District Meeker County Commissioner candidate Dan Walberg’s position regarding a public forum on the smoking ban issue in the Oct. 19 edition.

The story said Walberg was disappointed there was no public forum for community members to voice their opinions.

Walberg, however, acknowledged there was a public forum on the smoking ordinance in February 2005. He said he attended and made a statement at the meeting. He was more upset that community members did not have the opportunity to ask questions of county commissioners about the ordinance.

“I was more disappointed that we didn’t get to ask questions somewhere down the line at a public forum,” Walberg said last week.

Citizens for Smoke Free Meeker County group and the Business and Citizens for the Right to Choose group each had one hour to speak at the Feb. 22, 2005,  public forum before the Meeker County Board. Citizens wishing to comment had to sign up prior to the meeting, and presenters were not allowed to ask questions of the commissioners.