Public Comment Shut Down - by Pat Andrews

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The opinions expressed in these articles and features are those of their author and do not necessarily reflect the positions of McANA or the opinion of its Directors or Officers.

Public Comment Shut Down
by Pat Andrews
[Vice-President of McANA]

All I know is that I would have been on time if it weren’t for all of those people in the metal detector lines. And, I would have gotten an excellent seat, if there hadn’t been all of those people already in the seats and standing every other place available in the room. And, did I mention that I couldn’t even get any closer than the second elevator from the room in which the hearing was to be held? The folks who actually arrived late were lining up behind me. If you call filling the entire space a line. Had to have been 300 people.

The meeting, of course, was the now infamous Public Works committee of the City County Council on December 2nd. On the agenda was proposal # 677, 2003. I confirmed as much after the crowd thinned out, when I got a copy of the official agenda from the Council office. Yup, still there.

Bainbridge to Coughenour:

“Thank you Beulah, you are very good at counting.”

“The chair does not recognize you Beulah.”

“I didn’t know that I gave you permission to talk.”

As I mentioned, I arrived early, but inadequately so. I experienced the ambiance of the meeting from afar. For the actual comments made by Councilors and the not-to-be-completely-gagged public, I had to turn to WCTY, channel 16. Now there is a godsend to everyone who still wishes to see Democracy in City Hall. I have assembled some quotes from the rebroadcast of the meeting.

It is obvious that most of the Councilors on this committee don’t ‘get’ the public process and some apparently consider it an inconvenience to their usual practice of deciding everything in back rooms. Mr. Grey’s admonishment to call before coming to a meeting is just plain absurd. First, if its on the agenda, it should be heard. Second, if people come to speak to an issue which is on the agenda, it should be heard. And third, people did call ahead and received the Chairman’s promise to hold a fair hearing.

Bainbridge to the public:

“I don’t mind you staying, but please be quiet.”

“I’m very, very sorry you people came down here.”

“If you’re going to stick around, be quiet. Or, go out into the hall where we can’t hear you.”

“Is there anyone from the public who wishes to address this?” (about other item on agenda)

I saw a number of friends from the Neighborhood Movement from all parts of the County. And, they had with them, other regular citizens who are frightened about the effect of the cost of hooking their homes up to the public sewer. The only means at this point is forced conscription through the Barrett Law. But, Councilor Beulah Coughenour has been working on a plan for quite some time, and it is a good plan, and these good people were present to demonstrate their support for her plan.

“Wow. What a great turnout.” “Why didn’t they move this to the big room?”, we were asking each other. We could hear the boos and we could hear the hoorays. “What’s happening?” “They’re tabling the proposal.” “No way!” “They’ve done it.” “This is an outrage!” “Cowards!” We stood stunned, not ready to believe that our elected representatives would treat us so shabbily. The word ‘Democracy’ came up several times.

Finally, those who had managed to fit into the hearing room began trying to get home. Some disappointed, some angry, some reaffirmed in their core belief that there is something rotten in City Hall. It was a slow and disheartening exodus. One woman expressed the exasperation of many when she said, “What do we do now? We tried to elect the best ones. Now they do this to us. What are we supposed to do now?”

Conley to Bainbridge:

“You handled it very well. And, I thank you for handling it the way you handled it.”

Most of the Councilors slipped away without speaking to the still large crowd, once the entire meeting was over. Ms. Coughenour came out after a while, and spoke with small groups of her supporters. Mr. Bainbridge moved as quickly through the halls as he could. Even so, he got into a verbal parry with Merri Anderson as he flew by. “I’m disappointed John. You promised you would hold a fair hearing.” “And, I’m disappointed in you Merri, for bringing all of these people down here.” Monroe Grey was stopped to talk with constituents, just a few inches from the rear exit and freedom. Lance Langsford, the only Councilor besides Coughenour to support hearing from the public that night, promised he would carry the proposal into the new Council. He didn’t know enough details to give it his vote, yet; but he felt the issue needed to be investigated and the public deserved to be heard.

Monroe Grey:

“If you want to come before a committee, call the Chairperson beforehand.”

She (Coughenour) also owes the Chairperson an apology.”

Sorry you had to endure this.” (to Bainbridge)

As most of you now know, in an orchestrated, preplanned move, Councilor Harvey Knox moved that the proposed Septic Ordinance be tabled, and it was. Chairman John Bainbridge was rude beyond belief to Ms. Coughenour. And, Cornell Burris got the biggest cheer of the night when he said:

“And you call this Democracy?” l