What ever happened to the concept of FREE SPEECH

The following flier/letter(exactly as presented, typos and all) was handed out at the last Waverly Town Council Meeting. The Town’s attorney dutifully read out the new rules in a very condescending manor, very typical way that we have come to expect. How sad this is at many many levels. I will address some concerns with the new rules and then present a set of rules for the Council AND the Mayor, since he makes it clear that he is NOT part of the Council when it is convenient for him.

DON'T FORGET the County Board of Supervisors Meeting THURSDAY @ 7:30 PM

NOTICE

PUBLIC MEETING RULES

BECAUSE OF THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE NORMALLY WISHING TO SPEAK AND THE NEED TO PROVIDE A FAIR OPPORTUNITY TO EVERYONE DESIRING TO PRESENT COMMENTS, AND THE NEED FOR THE TOWN TO CONDUCT BUSINESS:

1     No one can speak unless they sign in to speak.

2  Speaking after the public comment period is an interruption of the council meeting and will not be tolerated.

3    Comments are limited to 3 minutes. If more than 3 minutes is needed then   present your comments in writing and the Counsel will consider them.

4   You may not sign up and then give your minutes to someone else.

5  No personal attacks on any member of the Council or the Mayor will be accepted in a public meeting. The meeting is for the purpose of conducting the business of the Town. If you have personal issues, present them in writing, or see the person aggrieving you on your own time.

6      ANY PERSON BEHAVING IN A DISORDERLY MANNER, OR CAUSES ANY UNNECESSARY DISTURBANCE AND REFUSES TO OBEY THE PRESIDING OFFICER TO REMAIN ORDERLY, SHALL BY GUILTY OF A CLASS 1 MISDEMEANOR. YOU MAY BE REMOVED, ARRESTED AND DETAINED UNTIL A MAGISTRATE OR JUDGE DETERMINES YOUR BOND.

RULE 1. This is ok, however the sign in sheet must be available at all times EVEN during public comment time. In the past the sign in sheet was available for folks to sign up prior to the meeting then removed.

RULE 2. Another attempt at instituting a police state. There is a difference between being disruptive and being disgusted and briefly voicing that concern. A well timed boo or a cheer should be allowed, what are you afraid of?

RULE 3. Another rule that the council is in its power to institute but one that MUST be fairly and uniformly enforced. Even when one of the Mayor’s or Council’s insiders is delivering comments. As evident by the fact that 15 minutes after these rules were delivered a citizen was given all the time they wanted because the Mayor liked what was being said.

RULE 4. They have this right but again I must ask what are they afraid of?

RULE 5. A very large banner needs to be made with these rules printed on it and then displayed in the meeting room with the public on one side and the Council and Mayor on the other so they can HIDE BEHIND THEM as they are attempting to do.  I wonder a couple of things here…..what will be considered a “personal attack”? If a citizen has a problem with the way the Mayor or any member of the Council is conducting the business of the Town should this not be allowed to be presented and entered into the official minutes of the meeting? Too many times when comments are submitted in writing they are not made part of the official minutes and possibly censored. AND, regarding the purpose of the meeting is for conducting the business of the Town …. WHATEVER happened to the concept that the meetings were an opportunity for the citizens to speak their peace? Do they not work for us?? Should they not be willing to listen to us??

RULE 6. The only thing I can say with how this was worded and the fact that it was typed so BOLD and excessively formatted that this must be a treat from Marxist dictatorship of folks in power, what ever happened to the democratic American way?

NOW here is a set of RULES for the MAYOR, the Town’s ATTORNEY and the COUNCIL.

Short and within OUR rights to ask.

1.    Be willing to LISTEN to the citizens. You are PUBLIC officials for the most part act like it!

2.    When listening BE OPEN.

3.    Represent ALL the citizens of the Town NOT a select few.

If you like these rules,  how about clapping; that form of response is I guess still permitted as it was not excluded in the new rules 

instituted last week.

DON'T FORGET the County Board of Supervisors Meeting THURSDAY @ 7:30 PM