`Citizens decry rule limiting comments`

By Erin Remai
Herald Staff Writer

Several Brookfield citizens expressed discontent when the board of trustees voted Monday to limit public comments at meetings to five minutes.

Previously, there had been no time limit on public comments.

Former trustee John Miller asked the board if the rule would apply to anyone who asked to be placed on the agenda, such as committee heads or members.

Trustee J. Philip Schmidt said those on the agenda would not be limited, but anyone who is “just a citizen” would have to abide by the five-minute rule.

Residents objected to Schmidt’s referring to the public at large as “just citizens.” Schmidt later said he did not mean his comment the way it came out; he was referring to committee members on the agenda as opposed to citizens who ask to comment at meetings.

“If many people are here, I can see limiting it,” said Sonya Black, 1121 Warner Road. “But limiting it is going to cost votes. If someone has something to say and it takes more than five minutes to say it, they should be able to.”

Miller said that although the Ohio Revised Code gives board members the right to limit the time of public comments, he felt Brookfield citizens should not be limited.

“We tried it in the past and it bought us lawsuits,” Miller said.

Former police chief Timothy Gladis said the trustees did not have to allow anyone to speak at all and that residents should appreciate the opportunity they have.

“I don’t feel it’s at all limiting. It eliminates some grandstands that tie up the process,” Gladis said. “It’s just a matter of common sense. You shouldn’t be sensitive about that.”

Board chair Janalyn Saloom said the trustees made the decision to limit public comments in order to avoid lengthy discussions at meetings with numerous items on the agenda. She said the rule would be flexible at meetings with few items on the agenda or few citizens in attendance.

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Updated January 5, 1999
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