Council debates requiring pre‑registration for public comment at workshop
At a Blue Ridge council workshop, the mayor proposed requiring residents who wish to speak during public comment to sign up before meetings, arguing it would ensure fair allotment of time for opposing sides; several council members voiced concern it could deter spontaneous comments and risk limiting speakers' rights.
The full story
The mayor opened the workshop by proposing revisions to meeting procedures that would require people who wish to speak during public comment to sign up before the meeting begins. He said the change was intended to ensure that “everyone has time to be heard and the allotted time that's allowed” and to prevent a small number of speakers from occupying the whole time for one side on contentious matters such as zoning.
Sign up to keep reading.
Your free newsletter brings you what your city council, county, and school board discussed and decided.