January 22, 2008
REMARKS TO THE COUNTY COMMISSION
My name is Henry Berry and I reside in the first Civil District of Benton County. I rise this evening to voice my opposition to your proposed changes to the Benton County Commissions RULES OF ORDER AND PROCEDURES. On PAGE 5 it states in part that anyone wishing to speak at a County Commission meeting must run a gauntlet of ill-conceived and ill-advised steps. Let's take this assault on the FIRST AMENDMENT of the UNITED STATED CONSITITUTION point by point.
- One must contact their Commissioner
- What is my recourse when a commissioner cannot or will not make themselves available?
- What happens if they forget or refuse to contact the Mayor?
- What happens if the mayor decides not to place me on the agenda?
- What happens if the Commission refuses to allow me to come to the floor?
- What happens if the issue I wish to speak on comes up a few hours before the meeting?
- Who decides which person will speak when two or more wish to speak on the same subject?
As you can see these change to the rules are nothing more than a disguised attempt to further a political agenda without opposition.
Many of us saw this type of activity coming decades ago. With civics removed from the classrooms it was only a matter of time before it would show up at our Courthouse.
Electing our neighbors to office is only the start of our democratic process. Some of us have lost our way and fail to understand the PUBLIC SERVANT/ACCOUNTABILITY aspect to operating our GOVERNMENT.
In closing, I know that some of you are very opinionated and passionate about what you see as the solutions for the issues in our county. But this action to stymie my responsibility to hold my elected officials accountable is unacceptable un-American and will be challenged in the federal courts.
Thank you
Henry Berry