HomeMy WebLinkAbout7/7/2020 Item 08--Received after 6PM, Katz
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From:Todd Katz <
To:E-mail Council Website
Subject:Expressing disagreement in public
Honorable Mayor and Council members --
I happened to see James Papp's letter to the SLO Tribune. I don't know Mr. Papp and I've not seen him in action.
However, I appreciate his calling readers' attention to Section 5 of the City's Advisory Body code which apparently reads
in part, "The public meeting should not be used to express anger or disagreement."
Having seen several council meetings where council members are doing nothing but expressing disagreement and
showing flashing of anger, I don't think it makes a lot of sense to have advisory committees whose members are subject
to removal for expressing "disagreement". Anger is, I suppose, in the eye (and ear) of the beholder but I think it would
make more sense to provide each committee with the ability to censor a member by a vote and then, if that fails to
correct some egregious behavior, to vote to remove him or her from the committee.
Stepping back, I certainly wouldn't serve on a public committee (I've been on the Mass Transit committee and currently
sit on two SLO county committees) that had a "no disagreements" rule. I doubt seriously that you would serve on a city
council which enforced such a provision.
Thank you for considering this comment and recommendation. Please include my letter as part of the public record for
your next meeting.
Sincerely,
Todd Katz
3478 Gregory Court, SLO
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