Alton Tries to Silence its Citizens

[Rusty]

Originally Posted by Bear Islander

Rusty had me wondering just how badly this fire is out of control. So I went back and checked the Alton BOS Minutes. I went back to last June. There are two "Public Input" sessions per meeting. At no time did anyone speak at the second Public Input opportunity.

6/23/14 . 0 speakers
07/7/14 . 0 speakers
7/21/14 . 0 speakers
8/18/14 . 0 speakers
9/22/14 . 0 speakers
10/6/14 . 1 speaker
10/20/14 . 0 speakers
11/17/14 . 0 speakers
12/1/14 . 2 speakers
12/15/14 . 3 speakers
1/14/15 . 1 speaker

That is a total of 7 speakers in 8 months. Times are not listed but with a 5 minute limit that equates to a maximum of 35 minutes that the BOS have had to listen to "Public Input" over an 8 month period. Is the the FIRE that Rusty wants the BOS to put out?

Nice job with the research.
At all of those meetings there wasn't a 5 minute limit for public speaking. That got added to the policy after Mr. Clay spoke for over twenty minutes and wouldn't stop because the policy didn't have a time limit. He had to be escorted out of a few meetings because he wouldn't stop talking.
Anyway, what I meant by "FIRE" is when the trouble started with Mr.CLay sometime in the beginning of this year. He kept testing the board about time so they had to set a 5 minute time limit after that and as we all know got arrested.
This is unfortunate and I dislike it as much as anyone here. However, something had to be done and the BoS chose a route to take, that route might not of been the best one and it will probably cost the tax payers money to get a resolution.
I hope that it can be resolved without litigation and the Alton BoS can get back to the business of getting things done for all the citizens.

BTW, there are two new members on the board and a new chair was selected at the first meeting after the Town elections. I say this because someone said there needs to be new members on the board.