JOURNAL BLOGS
Sometimes, there ain’t enough column space...
8
Oct 2008
Not so free speech
Posted by Scott Spielman
at 2:57 PM | Comments (6)
I had heard about the treatment County Commission Candidate Steve Johnson received when he talked to the Wayne City Council.
Last night, I saw it in person and I was appalled.
As Johnson got up to speak, Councilman Tom Kelly invoked a point of privilege and tried to keep him from talking. He called Johnson a carpetbagger.
Mayor Al Haidous let Johnson speak, but invoked the three-minute rule and wouldn’t allow Johnson to ‘campaign.’
I talked to Kelly after the meeting about it and was even more surprised at his reaction (I’ll have more on that in the Oct. 16 edition of the paper).
In the meantime, I’m embarrassed by the whole incident. I know it’s campaign season, but you can’t just keep people from talking during the public comments section of the meeting just because you support his or her opponent. This is America, and people have the right to voice their views, even if you disagree with them.
I’m sure people will read this and chalk it off as support for Johnson, but that’s not the case. I’m offended that the constitution got trampled a little bit. It wouldn’t matter who got up to speak. Let them talk; it’s their right.
Comments (6)
« Back to Bloggin' on the Edge
Feeds