We see a trend in our community.
First, we reported Clarkston School administrators pushing elected officials to only speak the company line. Now we report Independence Township wants to limit the public’s input at public, open meetings.
Limiting through legislation anybody’s right to express him or herself is something this newspaper stands against.
With the township board’s decision to change its rules and policies taking away residents? right to speak on more than one agenda item is, in our opinion, a slap in the face to the First Amendment.
Elected officials work for the public. Residents? opinions and thoughts need to be heard and considered, prior to action by the board.
Debate can be good, unless it is merely debate for debate’s sake. Limiting the voice of the people hurts this township by keeping the pool of thought shallow.
We concede the open mic at meetings has been abused by a small number of individuals, but we do not believe the abuse the few should ruin it for all.
We suggest, instead of limiting the number of agenda items people can address, ethical guidelines should be established and made known at the start of each meeting.
It can simply be stated, ‘Members of the audience and board shall not name call, make derogatory comments or use obscene language. Violators will be asked to leave and will forfeit their future rights to speak.?
We agree with Trustee David Lohmeier that greater enforcement of existing rules is needed. Supervisor Dave Wagner, as chairman of the meetings, needs to take control and enforce the rules in a fair and consistent manner.
As a side note, we find it interesting the free-speech limiting recommendation came from Trustee Neil Wallace.
What makes it interesting, are his past actions. Wallace, a longtime advocate and ‘voice of the people,? is the same man who literally charged down the center of isle at a planning commission meeting, enraged because the chairman of that meeting would not allow him (a member of the public) to speak a second time.
We urge the board (and all our local governing bodies) to meet the spirit if not the letter of the Open Meetings Act, open up to the public, not shut it out for convenience’s sake. ? tsk