Subject: Public Participation - Speaking time Limits, Rude Behavior( WARNING - This email originated from outside the City of Chula Vista. Do not click any links and do not open attachments unless you can confirm the sender.
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Hi All,
There seems to be several legislative bodies which are proposing to restrict speaking time, and discipline people apparently fairly arbitrarily for rude conduct. We should encourage free speech and the flow of ideas. Frankly, most of these can already discipline rude people and limit speaking time, so I also regard this as intimidation and bullying.
Forinstance, limits on addressing an individual Councilmember are ridiculous - that's what they get paid for, and if the make an error, such as being off topic or break the law (it happens,) that should be discussed.
I am concerned that if the people are prevented from fairly presenting their ideas, they will take it to the streets. I sent this to one such legislative body, but I think that it is a good experiment in free speech, so am sending this to you. Please do not arbitrarily limit our free speech at meetings.
I than extremely grateful to the Board for removing their proposal to restrict free expression from the Dec. 5 agenda.
Written Communications - Henkin
Item 8.2 - Received 12/4/23
"I am proposing the following amendment to the San Diego County Board of Supervisors Rules of Procedure. Please let me know whether I need to make a presentation in-person, virtually, or at all.
"On October 10, 2023 (00:40:30) a speaker on non-agenda, whose grandbaby was apparently mistreated during a custody fight, was cut off and his daughter was reduced to tears. Also on October 10, 2023 (00:56:01,) a speaker on non-agenda was called 'out of order' which is ridiculous for non-agenda.
This sort of thing is happening too often. Speakers seem to be intimidated and the Board's reputation for fairness diminished thereby. "This proposed amendment is an experiment to allow the speakers on non- agenda matters reasonable time to make their speeches, to trust that they will respect the time of others, and to add a tone of civility to this section of the proceedings.
"I admire the politeness shown by the Clerk of the Board at the San Diego City Council, whose actions should be your model.
"I propose that the Board of Supervisors add to rule 4a(7) (non-agenda):
"Non-Agenda Public Communication: Notwithstanding other time limits imposed by the Chairperson or Board, There will be a total of thirty (30) minutes scheduled at the beginning of the Tuesday and Land Use sessions for members of the public to address the Board on any subject matter within the jurisdiction of the Board and which is not an item on the agenda for that session. Each speaker must file with the Clerk a written in-person or online Non-Agenda Public Communication Request to Speak form prior to the scheduled opening time of the session.
Written Communications - Henkin
Item 8.2 - Received 12/4/23
"During this time, there shall be 5 in-person and 5 online speakers (or more if time allows) on non-agenda items.
"Each speaker shall be allowed to speak for 3 minutes, or longer with the permission of the Chairperson.
"Each speaker shall begin his or her remarks by saying briefly how the Supervisors can help them or how this is within the Board's jurisdiction.
"After two and one-half (2-1/2) minutes, not interrupting whole sentences if possible, the Clerk shall say 'Excuse me. There are other people waiting to speak. Please respect their time and conclude your remarks. At that time, the speaker may make a request for more time to the Chairperson. The chairperson shall allow or not with a brief reason.
"After three (3) minutes, not interrupting whole sentences if possible, the Clerk shall say 'please conclude your remarks. Thank you for your ideas.'
"The same procedures shall apply to speakers on non-agenda items at the end of the meeting, except that there shall be no 30 minute limit on how long all the speakers can speak.
"Any person filing a Public Communication Request to Speak form after the time deadline established by this subsection shall not be allowed to make a presentation to the Board. All issues raised by a speaker will be automatically referred to the Chief Administrative Officer. No other action may be taken by the Board at this time.
Written Communications - Henkin
Item 8.2 - Received 12/4/23
"This version of sub-section a(7) shall become inoperative in three months (90 days) from the implementation of this amendment, unless made permanent, and the previous version of subsection a(7) shall be restored." I believe that this, instead of further restrictions on public speaking, is more likely to produce good results. Thank you.
Respectfully,
Paul Henkin
Written Communications - Henkin
Item 8.2 - Received 12/4/23