IT’S TIME FOR COUNCIL TO ENFORCE RULE PROHIBITING DISCOURTEOUS REMARKS

At the last council meeting a frequent speaker lectured the council on the Louisiana Constitution and the Louisiana Open Meetings Law as they pertain to public comments. His interpretation of both was incorrect, as in totally off base.

He was also confused about the purpose of the administrative conference (work session). This speaker incorrectly stated that this meeting was for the advertisement of ordinances and resolutions that were to be voted on at the regular meetings.

He then said:
“I am staggered that we have a lawyer on the council in councilman Nickelson, but yet it goes over his head. I am baffled by that..

This council and when I say ‘this council’ I mean a growing minority, white folks, wish to bamboozle this administration, and bamboozle this city, and hold the city hostage..”

This speaker is African-American. His reference to “white folks” was to councilman James Flurry, John Nickleson, and Grayson Boucher.

Section 1.11(h) of the council rules states that “The chairman shall maintain order in the conduct of the meetings and shall have the right to limit or terminate any presentation that is profane, discourteous, irrelevant or otherwise.”

No corrective action was taken by any of the 4 black council members. Thus, it’s likely speeches of this nature will likely continue.

This speaker had to be escorted out of the chambers at one council meeting for failing to honor the three minute limitation on speaking. His comments at subsequent meetings have been more and more derogatory and insulting in nature.

Councilman John Nickleson has also been the subject of many derogatory remarks because of his role as time keeper. Many of these have been of a racial nature.

This needs to end. Enough is enough.