"Brechlin was in favor of the change, he said, because it prioritizes agenda items."
Of course he was. In the last meeting Brechlin characterized Public Comments as "idle chatter." Prioritizing agenda items means prioritizing topics over which the Council already has control. Folks we are talking about a three minute allowance per Public Comment up to fifteen minutes a meeting. Where residents have their say. Three cheers for Chair Val Peacock and others who rejected Brechlin's high handedness. Shame on Gary Friedman's vote in support of further isolating the Council from residents' concerns
The Bar Harbor Town Charter requires that 'councilors must be fair, impartial, and responsive to the needs of the people.' Allowing them to speak for three minutes on their concerns is part of councilors official duties. Last I heard Public Comments have been about a clean environment and clean government. Not about such as Brechlin's absurd imaginings. But worse, Brechlin earlier suggested outright censorship. The addition of Brechlin to the Council is literally a step towards less public say in government.
"Brechlin was in favor of the change, he said, because it prioritizes agenda items."
Of course he was. In the last meeting Brechlin characterized Public Comments as "idle chatter." Prioritizing agenda items means prioritizing topics over which the Council already has control. Folks we are talking about a three minute allowance per Public Comment up to fifteen minutes a meeting. Where residents have their say. Three cheers for Chair Val Peacock and others who rejected Brechlin's high handedness. Shame on Gary Friedman's vote in support of further isolating the Council from residents' concerns
The Bar Harbor Town Charter requires that 'councilors must be fair, impartial, and responsive to the needs of the people.' Allowing them to speak for three minutes on their concerns is part of councilors official duties. Last I heard Public Comments have been about a clean environment and clean government. Not about such as Brechlin's absurd imaginings. But worse, Brechlin earlier suggested outright censorship. The addition of Brechlin to the Council is literally a step towards less public say in government.