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October 10th. 2000 <br />770-5095 fax /and' Hand Deliver <br />Dear Ms. Gunter <br />Please place me on the October 17th. 2000 Commission Public Matters <br />agenda to discuss Public Rights to Freedom of Speech, and Open Government. <br />Ank <br />XC To All concerned Parties <br />Mike Kaiser Press Journal Writer <br />Chairman:Adams advised that anyone could speak on this matter. She specified that <br />she does not wish to limit the ability to speak but wanted to ensure a policy of civility at the <br />County Commission meetings. She believed that an atmosphere of confrontation or personal <br />attacks does not show a positive example to peers in government or to young people, and <br />does not provide an atmosphere in which to seek a solution. She reviewed the historical use <br />of the public discussion section of the agenda which has been expanded to allow anyone to <br />comment after requesting to be put on the agenda. She stressed, however, that comments <br />need to stay issue -oriented. While she believes in the freedom of speech, the Commission's <br />duty at their meetings is to conduct the business of the County in a public forum in a timely <br />and professional businesslike manner. She thought televised meetings contribute to the <br />bolstering of confrontation, but that is not a professional way to conduct business. Other <br />counties have been surveyed on this topic and the results indicate that most of them set time <br />limits. Our Code calls for a 3 -minute limit but she believed a time limit was unnecessary, <br />that the Board needed to hear all sides to the issue. She felt it is her job, as Chairman, to <br />guarantee a realm for the Commission to operate effectively with public input. She suggested <br />October 17, 2000 <br />Bil 1 15 PG 5 2 2 <br />