Meetings forums for discussion, not rudeness

May 08, 2008 12:28 pm

— We would like to commend local governing entities for moving toward getting public meetings under control.
The Limestone County Board of Education recently asked a deputy to escort a citizen from a meeting for speaking out of turn and calling the superintendent and board “the big pig and the seven little piglets.”
And during Monday’s Athens City Council meeting, Councilwoman Milly Caudle and Councilman Ronnie Marks spoke against a citizen whom they said engaged in a personal attack against Marks, impugning the councilmen’s integrity while offering no basis for his charges.
Caudle supported public participation in the governing process as “democracy at work.” We couldn’t agree more. A free press must always protect the common citizen’s right to know.
However, for public discourse to remain civil and not deteriorate into chaos and so that all viewpoints might be heard, there have to be rules of conduct. For public officials, it’s Roberts Rules of Order that govern the legislative process.
Ordinary citizens are not bound by Roberts Rules of Order, so it is proper that governing bodies put a time limit on the public commentary portion of a meeting.
It’s also not in the best interest of good government for speakers to use their allotted time for name-calling.
While we understand that people regarded as “public figures,” such as those who serve on governing bodies, are open to criticism and oversight from the public — as well they should be — we don’t see the need to let meetings deteriorate into childishness.
Like our governing boards, we should all work together in a civil manner to determine what is best for our city and county.
We are neighbors. We should act accordingly.