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Posts Tagged ‘public comment’

Citizen attacks fellow citizen, swears – what can be done?

By Ann Macfarlane | March 5, 2021 | 2

Dear Dinosaur:  During public comment at a virtual meeting, one citizen was making blasphemous comments about another citizen in attendance, was escalating in emotion, and calling him names and added…

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Are your meetings seven hours long?

By Ann Macfarlane | February 23, 2021

  This strange time of COVID-19 is producing some strange situations. We hear reports of local government meetings lasting far into the night, in some cases taking as long as…

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When First Amendment Rights and Public Meetings Clash

By Ann Macfarlane | August 7, 2020 | 2

MRSC has graciously given permission for us to republish this helpful article. MRSC is a private nonprofit organization, formerly known as “Municipal Resources and Service Center,” serving local governments in…

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Control disorder in your chambers

By Ann Macfarlane | October 22, 2019

Local governments face a tough climate these days. Customs of courtesy have faded and people are often both passionate and rude about their issues. If you are a mayor or…

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Danger Will Robinson! Public comment ahead!

By Ann Macfarlane | June 12, 2019

This post offers our readers a brilliant paper by municipal attorney Brett Vinson on the dangers of public comment.

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Roundtable Community Workshops

By Ann Macfarlane | June 5, 2019

Guest post by Bob Jean, ICMA/WMCA Senior Advisor Got a really hot issue and a divided community? Too often, if you hold a traditional public hearing to deal with it,…

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Time limits create productive meetings

By Ann Macfarlane | February 27, 2019

The mayor of Alexandria, Virginia began council meetings by responding to each person giving public comment, sometimes delaying the start of regular business three hours or more.

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Don’t get chummy

By Ann Macfarlane | November 28, 2018 | 4

City councilmembers and nonprofit board leaders should not get chummy—too familiar—with their constituents or regular members. Here’s why.

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You can’t shut down a meeting whenever you want

By Ann Macfarlane | June 11, 2018 | 2

“Can City Council President Ben Stuckart really shut down a meeting whenever he wants?” runs the catchy headline. The answer, of course, is NO!

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Guidelines for Public Comment in Local Government

By Ann Macfarlane | March 27, 2018 | 2

The public comment period is an essential part of local government meetings. These are our guidelines for public comment periods in local government.

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