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Goshen resident criticizes new protest rules, announces run for state representative during county meeting
Summary
Susan Lawson of Goshen used the county's privilege-of-the-floor to criticize recently adopted rules governing protests and to announce a run for state representative; she also accused local elected officials of misconduct, statements that went unanswered on the record.
During the privilege-of-the-floor public comment period, Susan Lawson of Goshen criticized recently adopted rules that she said limit protests and the ability of residents without insurance to use county grounds. Lawson told the board she felt intimidated by restrictions on sidewalk chalk and public demonstrations and expressed frustration that some people could be effectively excluded from speaking on county grounds.
Lawson said she plans to run for state representative this year and said she will run against "Joanna Kane," a name she used at the start of her remarks; later in the same comment she referred to "Joanna King," producing inconsistent name references in the record. Lawson also criticized elected officials she said had supported candidates she described as abusive and racially prejudiced. She asserted that such officials' choices jeopardize rights and health for some people; the transcript records no board response or factual rebuttal during her three-minute comment.
Lawson's remarks were recorded as part of the public-comment period; the board allowed the comment without recorded reaction beyond the standard proceedings.
