RE: CVV/commissioners' meeting attendance estimates?

[Doug Grinbergs <saule@xxxxxxxxx>]

Original statement:

> Just wondering what estimates people might have made of the number 
> of CVV supporters at Thursday's meeting. The Daily's "Voting 
> activists pack hearing" story said "about 30 members"; that seemed 
> like a very conservative number.

Thanks for the responses; some excerpts:
---
From: Mary Eberle <m.eberle@xxxxxxxxxxxx>

I had already guessed 35 people raised their hands, but I am no 
expert at crowd estimation and I didn't actually count. I was sitting 
at the far side (left, as one faces the commissioners), so I had a 
good view of the raised hands, unless there were a lot of short folks 
on the right side.
---
From: "Paul Tiger" <LegislativeDirector@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>

I'd say it was more like 50. Some had difficulty telling because the 
room was packed. Standing room only. There were newcomers as well... 
The rest of the room was reporters and county officials. You can fit 
about 100 people in that room, but there weren't enough chairs for 
that, so that's why people were standing. Some were standing in the 
hallway because there was no place for them inside. And there were 
lots of latecomers.
---
From: <bo@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>

I'd say 30 was about right.....
---
From: "Scott A. Morris" <samorris@xxxxxxxxxx>

Their estimate seemed off to me as well.  Unfortunately I didn't 
count, but it seemed more like 50.  I was sitting in the back right 
corner of the room, and from there it looked like all but a scattered 
handful of the people sitting in the audience raised their hands. 
That doesn't include the people that were sitting at the tables in 
the back (clerks?) -- I don't remember for sure, but I don't think 
they raised their hands.
---

To add my $.02 worth, it seemed that the attendance was closer to 
double the Daily's estimate, but not all people were there for our 
agenda item. FWIW, there were plenty of empty chairs on the left side 
of the room, where the screen was (not as good a view). Given that 
some people left early and others came late, I'll stick with my 
estimate that CVV had some 50-60 supporters at this meeting.

Regardless of the numbers, clearly, the group made a strong and 
impressive showing. Thanks to all, and, again, a huge thank-you to 
Joe for that rockin' presentation.