At last Tuesday's City Commission meeting, a frequent critic of city government as well as a host of other things, breached a topic that the mayor ruled as out of order. (The question this person posed to the commissioners had nothing to do with the current issues facing the city).
When this citizen didn't back down, the mayor asked that he be removed. He was, without incident, although he did holler out "Sieg Heil" as he was escorted out of the room.
After the commotion died down, Commissioner Jolley indicated that the public has the constitutional right to say whatever they want during the five minute public comment time.
Needless to say, the others "respectfully" disagreed. Commissioner Beecher led the charge by stating that it is his feeling that the person in charge of the meeting has the right to dictate the direction the meeting will take, or words to that effect. The others concurred.
He added that he had watched Spokane's City Commission meeting and that their public comment time is very restricted.
Since our meetings occur in the state of Montana and not Washington, let's take a look at what the Montana State Constitution says about this:
Section 7. Freedom of speech, expression, and press. No law shall be passed impairing the freedom of speech or expression. Every person shall be free to speak or publish whatever he will on any subject, being responsible for all abuse of that liberty. In all suits and prosecutions for libel or slander the truth thereof may be given in evidence; and the jury, under the direction of the court, shall determine the law and the facts.
They just don't get it, nor do they want to.
When this citizen didn't back down, the mayor asked that he be removed. He was, without incident, although he did holler out "Sieg Heil" as he was escorted out of the room.
After the commotion died down, Commissioner Jolley indicated that the public has the constitutional right to say whatever they want during the five minute public comment time.
Needless to say, the others "respectfully" disagreed. Commissioner Beecher led the charge by stating that it is his feeling that the person in charge of the meeting has the right to dictate the direction the meeting will take, or words to that effect. The others concurred.
He added that he had watched Spokane's City Commission meeting and that their public comment time is very restricted.
Since our meetings occur in the state of Montana and not Washington, let's take a look at what the Montana State Constitution says about this:
Section 7. Freedom of speech, expression, and press. No law shall be passed impairing the freedom of speech or expression. Every person shall be free to speak or publish whatever he will on any subject, being responsible for all abuse of that liberty. In all suits and prosecutions for libel or slander the truth thereof may be given in evidence; and the jury, under the direction of the court, shall determine the law and the facts.
They just don't get it, nor do they want to.
11 comments:
Vice Premier Beecher
I watched the history channel and China has no free speech, your point?
No olive branch for me....
So I suppose if Spokane wanted to jump off a bridge, Beecher would pass a resolution that Great Falls should jump off a bridge.
Your Garbage Barge of rotting olive branches are safe, but who would want them now?
Was john's civil liberties violated?
Is this something the ACLU would be interested in?
Upholding the constitution is a mandatory obligation of the commission, official misconduct on everyone but Jolley.
Well they learned that they can throw whomever they want out at any time and get away with it, why stop at that one person?
Hail Aldolph Stebbins!!!
They should reflect on Voltaire's words that "I may not agree with what you say, but I'll defend your right to say it." If 'they' like Spokane's rules that much, perhaps
they'd move there? If 'they' wonder why they get no respect, it's because they've not earned it and learned how to grant it, which is the responsibility of public officials.
Mary, how can you stand the stench of those old smelly commissioners? Nothing but nasty foul odors leeching out of those scumbags.
Next, they will do away witht he pledge, because it means nothing to them!
2009 elections cannot come to this city soon enough........
It's ADOLPH, cretin.
And Mary smells a little herself... Is there a reason she dresses like an unmade bed?
Anon 8:12
Mary has more class, good looks, and credibility than any of the bunch sitting up there. Get a life buster!
"Is there a reason she dresses like an unmade bed?"
Thanks. I got a little chuckle over this comment. My dearly departed husband would get so ticked off at my choice of dress, and ask, "Is comfort all you care about?"
My latest excuse for not ironing my clothes is I keep forgetting to buy distilled water for my iron. When I ran for city office I told a few people that I would spend more time reading documents than I would on choosing outfits and hair styles. I guess it shows. People also urged me to run for Mayor. I said I could not due to the dress up events that would break my clothes budget.
My clothes are clean but as I like silk, linen and 100% cotton and don't have any distilled water I am quilty of looking too casual.
I also lack a good grasp of what colors go together. I was once given a color wheel by a house mate to assist me. That was 30 years ago and I no longer have it.
Also thirty or so years ago co-workers nicknamed me permanent press with all due sarcasm intended. One of those co-workers gave me an ironing board.
In this town if I want to be unrecognized I can dress VERY nicely and have hair just so.
As always I am happy to answer questions. Informed voters are important.
Sincerely,
Commissioner Jolley
P.s
I will ignore silly questions about my fellow elected officials.
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