HomeMy WebLinkAboutCORRESPONDENCE - 60ACCM
Good evening Mayor and Council.
I come before you today to talk to you about an incident which occurred at the
previous meeting — on Dec. 3ra
You could call this a "point of order" concerning a particular agenda item. For
reference it was number 60A — my objection does not concern the substance of
the item. It concerns how the chair - the Mayor - handled public speaking for
this item.
Among the rights of Americans enumerated in the Constitution's Bill of Rights is
the right to freedom of speech. The First Amendment tells us that government
shall not abridge our freedom of speech and our right to petition the
government for a redress of grievances.
When Item 60A was announced by the Mayor he went directly to asking for a
motion and a second to quickly approve the item — without checking or asking if
there were any members of the public who wanted to address the Council on
the item.
Members of the public had a right to speak to the Council concerning this item
and that right was abused. If I had not walk toward the dais in an upset manner
and indicated that there were members of the public who wanted to speak, we
would have gotten rolled over and not allowed to speak.
I can't stand here and say that this was done intentionally. I can say that the
Mayor has had many years of running Public meetings. He knows that some
agenda items are more controversial than others and he knows who is in the
audience and may wish to speak on a controversial item. I can tell you that
doing this amounts to a violation of Constitutional civil rights and the California
Brown Act whether intentional or not.
I ask you all to see that our Public meetings are conducted in a manner which is
respectful of the rights of the Public.
Thank you,
Mike Tardif
Santa Ana Resident
Dec. 17, 2019