The following are my concerns regarding the August 1st Carefree Town Council Meeting. Vice Mayor Kroyer read the “disruptive behavior and removal procedures” section of the proposed “Public Meeting Policy”.
This reading by VM Kroyer was clearly intended to intimidate and suppress the residents First Amendment rights when the council doesn’t agree with what the public has to say. Residents should have the right to express their opinions as well as calling out any untruths stated by members of the council. These are not, as VM Kroyer has stated, “personal attacks”.
By so stating this section of the proposed policy, this Council is also threatening to remove residents they disagree with. This could, in fact, discourage our freedom of expression for fear we may be removed from the meeting.
In summary, our Freedom of Speech allows criticism of government which is at the very center of the constitutionally protected area of free discussion.
As a First Amendment scholar states, “First Amendment freedoms ring hollow if government officials can repress expression that they fear will create a disturbance or offend. Unless there is real danger of imminent harm, assembly rights must be respected.”
The residents MUST have the continued opportunity to freely express opinions and call out untruths. The Mayor and Town Council, as elected representatives, are accountable to the residents of this Town.
Perhaps VM Kroyer should consider the old adage, “if you can’t take the heat, get out of the kitchen”.
Jan Neal
Carefree
