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Residents press Waverly council on civility, criticize council remarks about national political figure
Summary
During public comment on Oct. 6, Waverly residents praised the mayor's civility and criticized council members' prior remarks concerning the assassination of political commentator Charlie Kirk, raising concerns about inflammatory language and community tone.
During the Oct. 6 public comment period at the City of Waverly council meeting, multiple residents addressed tone in local public life and criticized remarks by council members made earlier in September related to the assassination of political commentator Charlie Kirk.
Mike Shearer opened public comment by praising the mayor's mantra to "be kind," saying he appreciated the tone the mayor has set in the city and that civil tone is important given national divisions. Shearer said he would "miss you after the end of the year" in reference to the mayor's upcoming departure.
Anne Plattie used her five minutes to ask a series of rhetorical questions aimed at elected officials, including whether it is appropriate for an elected official to "celebrate that person's death" and whether it is acceptable for an elected official to call other people "nazis and racists" when those citizens disagree with them. She spoke at length about gun violence, mental illness, and political rhetoric and said, "Using terms such as Nazi and racist promotes hate. It is absolutely despicable behavior." Her remarks referenced national events and arguments; she did not call for a particular council action in the transcript.
Michael Locosti raised similar concerns about council conduct, referencing "recent negative comments made by Waverly City Councilman" about the Charlie Kirk assassination and asking whether the mayor and council approved of that behavior. Locosti criticized the councilman's comments as "ethically" and publicly improper and urged voters to hold officials accountable. He also suggested as a policy idea that running for elected office should require a test on knowledge of the U.S. Constitution; the clerk enforced the public-comment time limit and the speakers' time expired.
No formal council action on these public comments was recorded in the meeting transcript. Council members later made routine remarks on community events, including appreciation for Oktoberfest and an upcoming sister-city visit from Eisenach, Germany.
