Residents urge restored civility and object to political flags during public comment

Multiple residents used the public-comment period at the start of the Feb. 4 meeting to urge restored civility in council meetings, to raise concerns about employee turnover and to object to political flags on city property.

Connie Horton, a 50-year Clayton resident, told the council that remote meeting technology can enable "personal attacks and public shaming" and recommended written comment options as a way to reduce heated live exchanges. "Decline of civility is a choice," Horton said, adding that she had observed audience members using "vile and vulgar language" during meetings and that staff should address maintenance concerns about landscaping and streets.

Dane Horton said residents should investigate staff turnover and also criticized events tied to Black Lives Matter, which he said led to businesses boarding up for a time. "We must stop tolerating the intolerable," he said, and he urged the council to restrict political flags from city property. He said the council had previously flown a six-color rainbow flag and later a progressive flag; he said the practice caused "divisiveness and animosity."

Council members took the public comments under consideration; the mayor later said the new administration's priority was to support city staff and improve council-staff relations. The council did not take immediate action on the flag policy during the Feb. 4 meeting.

Sources: Public comment at the Feb. 4 Clayton City Council meeting; remarks by Connie Horton and Dane Horton.