Public comments an invitation for free speech
MICHAEL ROCCO , Staff Writer 07/03/2003
It is on every meeting agenda‚ sometimes twice.
Those two little words‚ "public comment‚" are an invitation for free speech‚
a chance for people to discuss their land‚ their town‚ their neighbor or
their child's education.
Lower Salford Township Manager Delton Plank said residents in his township
have two chances to speak on issues‚ one at the beginning of the meeting and
one at the end.
"That is our effort here to provide the opportunity and create the forum‚"
he said.
Pennsylvania's Sunshine Act‚ commonly known as the sunshine law‚ took effect
in 1987 and established open meetings for the public to witness
deliberations of governmental agencies. An amendment in 1993 stated that
ample time must be given to allow for public comment.
Plank said the only time what a person is saying during public comment comes
into question is if a person is speaking about an item on the agenda. The
board might defer those comments to that part of the meeting.
"I think there is flexibility there. It's not run real strict where people
would not be able to provide public comment‚" Plank said.
Hatfield Township Manager Stephanie Teoli said Hatfield follows the same
logic with allowing public comments.
"I've seen policies that are very strict. Our board is good about allowing
people to speak out throughout the meeting on issues‚" Teoli said.
Teoli said the only time comments may be stopped is when the board has been
discussing an issue for an hour and residents are repeating them selves.
Comments can run the gamut at meetings.
At a recent Souderton Area School Board meeting‚ a controversial geography
textbook was being discussed and conversations covered religious beliefs‚
the theory of evolution‚ family values and the proper relationship between
the press and school board members.
After initial board discussion‚ about a half an hour was spent giving every
resident who wanted to speak the chance.
North Penn School Board President Donna Mengel said she welcomes discussion
at meetings.
She said she regularly lets people speak past the five-minute maximum and
encourages comments‚ even if they don't agree with opinions of board
members.
"I think freedom of speech should be totally unfettered‚" Mengel said. "We'
ve had great meetings. We've had better meetings when people come out and
participate. If other people don't agree‚ who cares‚ it is the importance of
the process."
Some people have become regulars at meetings because of their passion to
speak out on issues.
Mary Gehman‚ 74‚ of Skippack‚ has been attending planning and township
meetings for six years.
She has spoken out about developments‚ waivers‚ bridges and the residency of
planning board members‚ and said she may be looked at as a champion‚ but she
is just doing what she feels is right and using the venue provided to her.
"I truly do not do this for a moment of glory. I look at the issue and think
how will it affect the overall lifestyle‚" Gehman said. Evelyn Kampmeyer is
a regular at North Penn School Board and committee meetings.
A long-time educator herself‚ she does her research before stepping up to
the podium at board meetings‚ or speaking out from the audience at committee
meetings.
"I try to utilize scientific data as much as possible‚ and research. When
you can go in with numbers and that kind of data‚ they cannot challenge you
very well‚" Kampmeyer said. "I feel speaking out is a way to get information
out there."
©Reporter online.com 2003