School board rejects limits on speakers

Web posted February 14, 1998

 Speaking process

By Kelly Daniel
Staff Writer

You could see the idea catch on in head after head around the table. Yes, some Richmond County school trustees nodded, let's limit how often citizens can talk to us about topics we dislike.

Quickly, the notion gathered steam. Want to discuss that whole high school site ruckus again? Sorry. Still unhappy with who got a school contract? Go somewhere else. Mad about whole language? See you later.

``We keep hearing the same things, over and over,'' said trustee Ken Echols, who proposed a motion at the end of Thursday's board meeting to refuse to let citizens address the board more than a few times on the same subject. ``It's redundant.''

But, seemingly seconds before trustees were going to vote on limiting public access to the board, trustees Jeff Annis and Y.N. Myers Jr. talked them out of it.

``It's their board, not ours,'' Mr. Myers said, referring to the public.

``I think no matter how repulsed we are by the repetitiveness or shrillness and no matter how out of control they get'' it's still the public's right to speak, Mr. Annis said.

Slowly, the nods turned in the other direction.

``I'll withdraw it,'' Mr. Echols said, and the board did not vote.

But then, another idea. How about letting the public have two extra minutes of time to talk -- as long as we like what they're saying?

Instead of the current three-minute limit on each citizen's comments, how about five minutes per speaker but add the option of cutting them off after three minutes, trustee Andrew Jefferson proposed.

``With the discretion of shutting them down if they're not saying much,'' said President Adna Stein. Board members and spectators alike chuckled.

This time, trustees voted. But the motion failed 4-3. Mr. Annis, Mr. Stein and Mr. Jefferson voted yes.

The meeting ended with a citizen still allowed to speak on any subject he chooses for three minutes.

For now, at least.

Speaking process

To speak before the Richmond County school board:Submit a written request at least three days before the next meeting.Specify the topic.Address the request to either Superintendent Charles Larke or board President Adna Stein, but deliver it to Dr. Larke's office at 2083 Heckle St.Limit remarks to three minutes.

The board meets the second Thursday of each month.