City leaders Tuesday completed a new rule for residents who spoke at the commission meeting.
In the coming weeks, city staff members will have a new printed guide, outlines the rules and procedures for public participation during meetings and work sessions.
Brochure that will tell people that vulgar, talking loudly, personal attacks and ads will not be allowed during the town meeting.
At the end of the meeting on Tuesday, thanked Mayor Pat Gerard speakers for their civil behavior.
"I just wanted to thank the people who came out and spoke tonight and right," said Gerard.
City manager Steve Stanton said that civility needs to go back to the commission. For the most part, speakers are friendly, but sometimes people shouting and hurling insults city leaders. Stanton said the city faced angry speaker and consultant staff in the parking lot after the meeting, making the city to have a police officer in charge of the commission meeting.
Resident John Atanasio, who attended the meeting, said city leaders are excessive and speakers rarely are out of bounds.
"The Commission is trying to control people comment in a way they want them," Atanasio said.
Gerard, who became mayor in March, introduced a policy long after the election. In his first commission meeting as mayor, Gerard speaker warned them free to provide constructive criticism, but not to launch into personal attacks. A few moments later, Gerard critic, Curtis Holmes, Gerard accused of unethical behavior and raised just fired him for his complaints to the Florida Commission on Ethics. She asked him to stop. He refused. A police officer escorted him to his seat.
Atanasio said he was treated unfairly.
Commissioners also questioned the time limit for individuals representing groups. New policy to determine the boundaries more clearly. In recent months, Holmes and second Atanasio asked to extend their time to represent the group. Given one additional time and others do not.
Two months ago, when Holmes clashed with Gerard, he requested permission to speak for 10 minutes instead of three as representatives of Friends of Largo, a group formed to choose the former Mayor Bob Jackson and former Commissioner Jean Halvorsen. He was not given additional time for other members of the group was not present.
At the meeting in April, Atanasio two times given extra time to talk about the Capital Improvement Plan was released after two individuals of their time. Several commissioners objected to giving extra time.
The new legislation seeks to streamline the process. Individuals who represent groups can speak for a maximum of 10 minutes. Which includes three minutes for individuals, plus an additional minute for each member of the group who wants to let go of their time.
Rules requiring members to attend, but they do not require the speaker to be representatives of official groups. That means, for example, a neighbor can speak the other neighbors if they were at the meeting as well.
In other action, commissioners unanimously approved the regulations that will provide rental assistance and housing counseling to residents uprooted car home. Mobile Home Transition Ordinance is a model after similar regulations adopted by the county in December. Clearwater is also considering similar legislation. Government actions such as changes in land use or changes in the site plan will enable the protection of the laws.
COMMENT RULES FOR THE Largo'S GUIDE NEW CITIZENS
Do not engage in loud and annoying speech.
Do not use profanity or obscenity.
Do not use "fighting words" or speech that threatens danger.
Do not advertise or campaigns.
Do not engage in personal attacks.
www.sptimes.com
In the coming weeks, city staff members will have a new printed guide, outlines the rules and procedures for public participation during meetings and work sessions.
Brochure that will tell people that vulgar, talking loudly, personal attacks and ads will not be allowed during the town meeting.
At the end of the meeting on Tuesday, thanked Mayor Pat Gerard speakers for their civil behavior.
"I just wanted to thank the people who came out and spoke tonight and right," said Gerard.
City manager Steve Stanton said that civility needs to go back to the commission. For the most part, speakers are friendly, but sometimes people shouting and hurling insults city leaders. Stanton said the city faced angry speaker and consultant staff in the parking lot after the meeting, making the city to have a police officer in charge of the commission meeting.
Resident John Atanasio, who attended the meeting, said city leaders are excessive and speakers rarely are out of bounds.
"The Commission is trying to control people comment in a way they want them," Atanasio said.
Gerard, who became mayor in March, introduced a policy long after the election. In his first commission meeting as mayor, Gerard speaker warned them free to provide constructive criticism, but not to launch into personal attacks. A few moments later, Gerard critic, Curtis Holmes, Gerard accused of unethical behavior and raised just fired him for his complaints to the Florida Commission on Ethics. She asked him to stop. He refused. A police officer escorted him to his seat.
Atanasio said he was treated unfairly.
Commissioners also questioned the time limit for individuals representing groups. New policy to determine the boundaries more clearly. In recent months, Holmes and second Atanasio asked to extend their time to represent the group. Given one additional time and others do not.
Two months ago, when Holmes clashed with Gerard, he requested permission to speak for 10 minutes instead of three as representatives of Friends of Largo, a group formed to choose the former Mayor Bob Jackson and former Commissioner Jean Halvorsen. He was not given additional time for other members of the group was not present.
At the meeting in April, Atanasio two times given extra time to talk about the Capital Improvement Plan was released after two individuals of their time. Several commissioners objected to giving extra time.
The new legislation seeks to streamline the process. Individuals who represent groups can speak for a maximum of 10 minutes. Which includes three minutes for individuals, plus an additional minute for each member of the group who wants to let go of their time.
Rules requiring members to attend, but they do not require the speaker to be representatives of official groups. That means, for example, a neighbor can speak the other neighbors if they were at the meeting as well.
In other action, commissioners unanimously approved the regulations that will provide rental assistance and housing counseling to residents uprooted car home. Mobile Home Transition Ordinance is a model after similar regulations adopted by the county in December. Clearwater is also considering similar legislation. Government actions such as changes in land use or changes in the site plan will enable the protection of the laws.
COMMENT RULES FOR THE Largo'S GUIDE NEW CITIZENS
Do not engage in loud and annoying speech.
Do not use profanity or obscenity.
Do not use "fighting words" or speech that threatens danger.
Do not advertise or campaigns.
Do not engage in personal attacks.
www.sptimes.com
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