How to handle issues of decorum without restraining debate has coincidentally been addressed by two local public officials this month.
Perhaps a result of the prevailing discord on Capitol Hill or just a reflection of a change in behavioral norms society-wide, civility often now gives way to cacophony in the halls of government.
A hundred years ago, disagreement brought such as this:
Lady Nancy Astor to Winston Churchill: “If I was your wife, sir, I would poison your tea.”
Churchill: “Nancy, if I was your husband, I would drink it.”
No more. Current example – Wednesday’s City Council public hearing on a proposed post-reapportionment change in three election districts.
Alexandria Mayor Jacques Roy said at a briefing earlier this month his administration is working on a revised procedure for handling public comment at City Council meetings. It can’t come soon enough.
Police Jury President Joe Bishop closed this month’s Jury session with a pointed reminder on how he thinks business should be conducted.
Roy noted what is the obvious — the current public comment rules at council meetings often allow wandering off subject. And the clock used to time commenters sometimes seem to run like a clogged hour glass.
Council President Jim Villard allows a generous latitude, even to those who pitch unfounded accusations and non-germane remarks.
The mayor said no one wants to curb legitimate questions and comment in invoking procedures that will revolve around proper time, place and manner. He didn’t say it, but something has to be done.
Bishop’s remarks were more pointed.
Some background:
Early in the meeting, Jay Scott moved to waive the parish’s 30-day rule and appoint him to a four-year term on the Rapides Area Planning Commission. It died for lack of a second.
Four other appointment motions by Scott had the same result.
Such waivers by the jury are as regular as robins in the spring.
The rule was adopted in the 1980s when appointments to the airport authority, coliseum authority (both now out of business) and the library board were coveted and contentious.
It requires notice to the public that jurors intend to fill a post the following month, allowing any and all to make their wishes known.
Over time, interest in appointments has for the most part diminished and jurors routinely waive the wait, leading some to wonder why it just doesn’t rewrite the rule.
Shortly after letting Scott’s motions go by the wayside, jurors approved one by Vice President Sean McGlothlin to waive the rule for a sewer board appointment.
Reading between the lines of minutes is necessary.
Such is the backdrop for Bishop’s remarks:
“As your President this year I want to take a moment to speak to each of you about something that affects all of us. This is directed to all of us not to anyone in particular.
“Our constituents elected us to come here and represent them, they expect us to represent them in a professional and courteous manner.
“At our meetings we can certainly disagree with each other on issues and each of you vote your own conscience. But let’s do that in a professional and respectful and polite manner.
“We don’t need any disrespectful conduct or hard language or curse words towards each other.
“Also, when you contact a fellow juror either by telephone or email or text message please be professional and respectful to each other and don’t use disrespectful or harsh language or curse words with each other.
“Let’s all also work together even when we disagree, and serve the citizens of Rapides Parish in a manner that they expect from us. We are God’s people and let’s conduct ourselves like that.”
Carbon copy to Congress.
Jim Butler, a Bolton High School alumnus, was an acclaimed writer and editor at the Alexandria Town Talk for 36 years, the last 23 (1977-2003) as editor-in-chief. He led Pulitzer Prize-winning coverage of Hurricane Katrina for the Gulfport (Miss.) Sun-Herald in 2005. Butler returned home to Cenla a few years ago, and shares his talents and insight with Rapides Parish Journal readers.