There's a lot of stuff that has been understood as the rights of the people for a long time, now our divisive and power-drunk government has learned it can push those boundaries and maybe or maybe not get in trouble for it.

Protect AND Deliver

Yeah, I'm pretty unhappy with it.

It’s faster and simpler to do it myself.

The thing is, it'd either take a lawsuit, or laws would have to be added in MA to protect public speaking time.

Honestly kind of appalling to me to learn this isn't a codified right. I'd assumed this was legally required, not down to the discretion of the chairperson.

Banning it still sounds like the worst of all the options, though, in all honesty.

I think that's likely a harder case to sue, especially as other methods of commenting exist (email, snail mail). It'd be a different story if periods for public comment were codified into law.

Although I could still write in and point out that this action might not be the shield they think it is. I definitely don't think it'd be an unreasonable lawsuit.

it's gorgeous out. ...except for the cold. ...and the wind.

60mph? during rush hour? when have you ever seen that happen lol

throws them in the trash with junk mail "Yes, of course I read them."

I'm not sure that counts. A public forum is the only way to guarantee you are heard.

Wow you can actually SEE the border of Weston, wild.

I'd be fine with that. It sounds like the boards are afraid that'll be the next lawsuit though, because this court case didn't clarify whether time limits etc could be imposed.

Look at all that black or very low density in the most west countries. It could all be affordable housing if Massachusetts got it together. Thus pulling many people towards the west , out of the cities to have cheap housing and more fun people out west. We're lonely in western Massachusetts. Come on over. Everyone basically gets an acres out here.

OK, so NOW can we spend some money fixing the damn MBTA? Maybe repave roads too?

The argument that would be made is that it's another Constitutional violation.

> The American people have a right to redress their government with their greivences.

The can always write emails and letters. Banning Citizen's Time merely prevents the immediate redress, not all redress.

My personal feeling is to limit each speaker's "Citizen time" to two minutes or so. If they refuse to stop they can then be ejected, same as anyone else disrupting the proceedings.

No, but that’s really interesting! It was at Whiting Street res in Holyoke probably in 2014? Ish?

>The American people have a right to redress their government with their greivences.

God bless the USPS

LOL awesome

They reported an incident that they heard a rumor about. It was investigated and dismissed. I don’t think they’re going to win this one

This incident?

https://www.berkshireeagle.com/news/local/researcher-recovering-from-rattlesnake-bite/article_280403f0-bf2b-56d7-a688-48ebb9ca2f6d.html

According to the NYT article, opportunities for public comment (Citizen's Time) are not actually required by law in MA right now.

>My municipality is reacting to the court case by considering pulling Citizen’s Time from meeting agendas. (So much for a win for free speech, huh?)

Sounds like a quick trip right back to court.

The American people have a right to redress their government with their greivences. Whether the government wants to hear it or not (obviously they don't) does not matter one bit.

Ah, but peoplencould live and work there. Maybe not miss valuable moments with their kids because they're stuck in traffic at 730PM