tonight was PRICELESS! LSC member JOHN FORD put forth a MOTION to LIMIT FREE SPEECH. after some contentious DEBATE the LSC once again moved to TRAMPLE over the CONSTITUTION just like in the GORDON COLLEGE RULING.
Ina 4 - 3 ruling the LSC voted to not only place limits of the PUBLIC'S ability to comment on matters before the SCHOOL COMMITTEE and then passed a policy that GUARANTEES a violation of the OPENING MEETING LAW by allowing committee members to respond to remarks put forth at OPEN MIC. Since committee member will be discussing issue that were not postedv48 HOURS earlier hence this is a POTENTIAL violation every time this occurs
ONCE AGAIN MAYOR KENNEDY gave a passionate reasons why such a reason was WRONG!.
Unfortunately these arguments fell on DEAF ears and WEAKER minds!The original DRAFT seemed to be a little stronger and apparently originally drafted to spare CHUCK and JOHN"S tender feelings.. They seem to FORGET they are ELECTED political figure.
MEMBERS WHO VOTED TO SUPPRESS PUBLIC SPEECH WERE: CHUCK GALLO, JOHN FORD, PATTI CAPANO AND RICK STARBARD.
I see both sides of this issue. But it has nothing at all to do with free speech. There is no right to speak at open mic. If there was such a right, every single elected body would have to have open mic. You and Lori are two good reasons to abolish it altogether. Constantly misinforming the public. The question is, should two bad apples spoil the bunch.
ReplyDeleteFirst, it always makes me chuckle to read comments such as the one above that are posted by people who hide behind anonymity. If you are going to throw accusations around, at least have the courage to to leave your real name. Second, every time I get up to speak at open mic about an issue, I only make statements based on information I have received from sources such as the DESE and I always have documentation to back up what I am saying. This is why I am not bothered by the new language that was added to the open mic policy. I welcome any committee member to challenge any information I mention at open mic. That said, if John, Charlie or any other member want to respond to a speaker merely because their feelings get hurt or they don't like the opinion or statement made by a speaker, I think the Mayor and hopefully Patti would not allow it. For instance, at the last meeting, I mentioned an email Charlie sent me telling me not to include him anymore in my correspondences to the school committee asking questions about the Gordon decision. I stated if he didn't want to receive questions and concerns by parents and the community, then perhaps he should rethink his decision to be a school committee member. This statement was not egregious. Charlie may not have liked or agreed with my statement and perhaps his feelings may even have been hurt, but if he tried to jump in and rebut something like this, I would hope the Mayor and Patti would not allow it because doing so would prolong the open mic session from constant rebuttals from committee members.
DeleteLori, here is your chance to run against them next term and pound them in debates.
DeleteAll these that hide behind anonymous are bullies, period. Its so easy to run the mouth behind hiden trash.
DeleteKIETH, I wholeheartedly agree with you with the following exception:SOME PEOOPLE ARE AFRAID TO LEAVE THIEIR NAMES BECAUSE OF BULLIES AT LPS.
Deleteno way- Rick?
ReplyDeleteCHUCK GALLO, JOHN FORD, PATTI CAPANO AND RICK STARBARD
ReplyDeleteShame on you!
The Mayor is the only one who understands the constitution.
ReplyDeleteIn his case I TOTALLY agree with you and let's throw in the GORDON COLLEGE one!
DeletehERE'S YOUR CHANCE! aNSWER NOW!
ReplyDeleteMEMBERS WHO VOTED TO SUPPRESS PUBLIC SPEECH WERE: CHUCK GALLO, JOHN FORD, PATTI CAPANO AND RICK STARBARD.
aND i WON'T EVEN RESTRICT YOUR time OR words.
How is it limiting free speech? People can say what they want at Open Mic still (from the way I understand) but the School Committee cannot comment during the meeting as would stray away from the agenda. I don't agree but I don't think it is an issue about free speech.
ReplyDeleteThanks to the MAYOR'S testimony the policy was a little more limited in SCOPE, still as I am sure she would agree the whole idea is a very SLIPPERY SLOPE! My impressions from the meeting was JOHN FORD oriinal intent was much more rrestrictive. He has a BAD record for saying INAPPROPRIATE and UNPROFESSIONAL things himself.
DeleteI was not at the meeting but I watched it.Ford and Gallo wanted to do away with open mic and they know it. They knew the rest of the committee would not go for that so instead they came up with limiting what the public can say. They didn't even want speakers to mention their names,which is absurd because they are elected public figures.Gallo and Ford need to put their big boy pants on and either get over it,or get out!
ReplyDeleteThat was my impression as well!
DeleteGallo cannot handle a couple of Lynn residents speaking out. Can you imagine if he had won the state rep race? Does he know how many members of the community would be speaking and contacting him then? He obviously does not have what it takes to be in politics and I think the people are seeing that,which is why he lost to Crighton.
ReplyDelete