08-04-2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

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personal political statements. If a commissioner were so compelled to make such statements—which is his or her afforded right—they should be made where all other residents would make such statements—at a City Council meeting. Being an appointed board or commission member does not prohibit one from having an opinion contrary to the City Council nor does it prohibit one from exercising the right to voice said opinion—far from it; however being an appointed member of a board or commission does not afford that person with the right to use that position in such a manner not otherwise intended. I want to reiterate that free speech and personal opinions should be embraced and one does not abdicate such rights upon appointment to a board or commission. Such appointment however does come with the responsibility that the appointee follow and abide by generally accepted and important guidelines for public comment. Finally, I would like permission from a majority of the Planning Commission to draft language that would be inserted into the Planning Commission Bylaws to memorialize the generally held principles of public comment by a sitting commission member at a commission meeting. The Bylaws would state that it would be inappropriate to make public comments at a commission meeting unrelated to the assigned duties and responsibilities of the Commission when a more fitting and suitable public venue is available, i.e., City Council meetings. I would invite and encourage the Commission to discuss this matter to ensure that the majority would support such an amendment. Thank you.