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Residents urge Bill of Rights recognition and raise First Amendment concerns at Suwannee County meeting
Summary
Two public commenters urged county action: one sought recognition of the week of Dec. 15 as Bill of Rights Week and the other alleged the board limits citizen comment by moving items to the consent agenda and restricting time, invoking Florida statute and warning of possible legal action.
At the Nov. 4 Suwannee County commission meeting, two members of the public addressed the board during public comments. Keith Broders of 970 Pine Mount Road asked the board to recognize the week of Dec. 15 as Bill of Rights Week, saying the Constitution’s Bill of Rights should be emphasized and urging residents to educate children about individual liberty and responsibility. Broders directed listeners to his website (libertytreeonline.us) for more information.
Moses Sleeper, representing We The People of North Central Florida, raised constitutional concerns about the county’s public‑comment practice. Citing Florida Statute 286.0114, Sleeper said citizens must be given a reasonable opportunity to be heard on propositions before the board and alleged the board moves many items to the consent agenda and limits speaking time to short intervals for individual consent items. He said county policy allows three minutes per general business item and three minutes total for consent items and warned that repeated limitations on public comment could create a paper trail of First Amendment infringements that might lead to legal action.
Chair acknowledged the comments and called on the Suwannee County Chamber representative for announcements. No board action followed from the public comments.
