Council made a good change to public comment
I watch too many Portsmouth City Council meetings. Having been on the council longer than anyone else I know − 18 years off and on since elected to my first term 54 years ago − it’s fascinating and often entertaining for me to see the same issues discussed time and time again. Sort of like the movie “Groundhog Day.”
That should remind us that many of our problems don’t have easy answers. We revisit them so we can improve on solutions we tried before. Fifty-four years from now in 2077 the City Council will still be discussing affordable housing, outside dining, development, potholes, neighborhood noise, budgets, taxes, pollution, climate change, where to walk dogs, the speeding and parking of whatever our residents and tourists will be using then as transportation, and maybe even McIntyre.
I always enjoy the public comment section of City Council meetings, especially since I had something to do with starting that concept. It was in 1990 that I proposed setting aside a time for people to speak on issues of concern. That process has been used by thousands of people since. Sometimes the talk gets boring or repetitive − and yes, even angry and often informative − but it’s democracy of the best kind when people can speak to their leaders, whether to give a compliment, offer a complaint, or just vent.
Council Rule 43 says: “A Public Comment session shall appear on the agenda of every regular Council meeting. This session shall be a period of time not to exceed forty-five minutes during which any member of the public may have three minutes to address any topic…” Read Council rules here: Revised Rules & Orders of the Portsmouth City Council (as adopted by the City Council 02/07/2022) | City of Portsmouth.
Most Portsmouth boards, commissions, and committees have adopted similar Public Comment sections, sometimes at the beginning of their meeting, others at the end. With the advent of Zoom technology, which showed its value during the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been even broader participation for those unable to go to City Hall. That’s a good thing − it serves democracy well.
I’ve always been on guard to changes in the public comment concept because in past years some councilors have wanted to end it, or seriously downgrade it. But like all parts of governing, sometimes changes have to be made.
In recent weeks the public comment section of the council agenda has been used by a gentleman who has walked to the microphone to make a case for who knows what. The only thing I gather from watching his performance is that he’s angry, and he wants to let others know he’s angry. To be angry is OK, and it’s his right, but for everything there is a time and a place.
At a meeting earlier this month he went to the microphone with his tape recorder and played three minutes of music with lyrics that were not exactly “G” rated. Mayor Deaglan McEachern was quick to stop him. That’s the mayor’s right, and obligation.
I won’t go into details of that moment because earlier this week Seacoastonline journalist Jeff McMenemy wrote a thorough story about it. He also reported on a proposal offered by Councilor Josh Denton, approved unanimously, adding new words to the public comment rule, “The playing of music, videos, or the recordings of others is prohibited.” The quick action by Mayor McEachern, and the change offered by Councilor Denton, keeps the integrity of the public comment process solid.
Public comment has proved its worth. It might not be everyone’s favorite part of the meeting, but unlike telephone calls that may not be heard, letters that may go unread, or emails that might just be deleted, our elected officials are kind of forced to listen to their bosses.
Today’s thought: The challenge is for all nine city councilors to enforce the public comment rule. And for members of the public to encourage others to use it, but not abuse it. “It takes a village” assigns that task to all of us.
Next time: Indigenous Peoples’ Day: A time to think about immigration.
Jim Splaine has served variously since 1969 as Portsmouth assistant mayor for 12 years, Police Commission member and School Board member, as well as six years as state senator and 24 years as state representative. He can be reached at jimsplaineportsmouth@gmail.com.
Public comment has proved its worth. It might not be everyone’s favorite part of the meeting, but unlike telephone calls that may not be heard, letters that may go unread, or emails that might just be deleted, our elected officials are kind of forced to listen to their bosses.