THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, October 16, 1994 TAG: 9410150102
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 08 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Editorial
LENGTH: Short : 43 lines
Despite the public outcry over restrictions on free speech at City Council meetings, some councilmen still want to bargain with citizens over their rights.
Councilman John M. de Triquet, in a statement read at Tuesday's session of the Council, deplored the distrust, antagonism and intolerance that is poisoning the relationship between the people and their elected representatives. Clearly, he recognizes that there's a problem.
His response, though, would be to hold an extra monthly meeting at which citizens would be granted an audience before the council.
That's not a solution. In fact, it only shows that he still doesn't understand what the fuss is all about.
No official city business would be conducted at the meetings. They would not be televised. City staff would not be required to be present. The meetings would not even be conducted in the official seat of city government.
The unavoidable implication of Dr. de Triquet's proposal is that communication with citizens is a sideshow, an accessory, something separate from the real business of running the government.
Citizens want to be involved in honest-go-goodness City Council meetings, where official decisions are being made. When they have something to say, they want to be permitted to say it.
Anything less than full respect for those rights is not enough. ILLUSTRATION: TODAY IS:
DAY 19
of the ban on free public expression during official meetings of
the Chesapeake City Council.
KEYWORDS: CHESAPEAKE CITY COUNCIL
by CNB