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Resident urges city council to model civility and respect in public meetings
Summary
A longtime teacher told the council that elected officials should demonstrate respectful behavior and warned that hostile conduct can chill public participation online and at meetings.
Jean Craigring, who said she has taught for 44 years, used the council’s public-comment period on March 3 to urge the Caldwell City Council to hold itself to the same standards of civility it asks of the public.
Craigring said she has observed council members interrupting each other, criticizing residents for not attending workshops and otherwise behaving in ways she described as “unprofessional and unkind.” She said such conduct harms Caldwell’s image, can chill public participation on community social pages and undermines public trust.
Craigring related a classroom anecdote about a troubled student to emphasize personal responsibility for actions and urged council members to “treat each other and the public the way you want to be treated,” concluding her three-minute comment by asking councilors to show professional behavior.
Mayor and council acknowledged the comment; no formal action was taken.
