HOW LOW CAN YOU GO?

There was so much that went on at the 5 1/2 hour (!) July Town Board meeting, that we are going to take it one issue at a time. So check back for more!

First, you need to know that Chair Tim Murphy was on a previously planned vacation and unable to be at the meeting. Due to that, Butch Hansen chaired the meeting.

I had placed myself on the agenda as I had questions about the Board being adequately prepared for the meeting regarding a matter that concerned my property. The very first thing that the tag team of Mark Ceminsky and Butch Hansen did was to try to remove my item from the agenda.

Supervisor Lu Barfknecht patiently explained (once again) what the policy is on items being placed by citizens on the agenda for Board discussion. Hansen said, "Then, I guess it's a question of whether the Board wants to leave it on there." Barfknecht replied, "We have to." (Per adopted policy) So my item stayed on the agenda.

During the time that I was speaking to the Board on this item, Hansen interrupted me and called for a recess! I said, "Butch, I am talking in a calm voice. Just because you don't like what you are hearing is not a [valid] reason to shut me down." The recess did not take place.

So let's stop right there and take a look at this. You, as a citizen, are able to ask to be placed on the agenda to discuss something with the Board about a question you have. Yet two uninformed Supervisors think they can stop you from expressing your concern and your question to your very own elected officials. Even though those elected officials have adopted this policy as a means by which you can be heard. If you aren't perceived positively by these two supervisors, they think they can selectively keep you from speaking. They have no authority to do that.

Then, if you are actually allowed to speak, the acting Chair thinks he can shut down that discussion by calling for a recess. Calling for a recess is a method which the Minnesota Association of Townships (MAT) suggests can be used for a "cooling off period" when things become too heated. The only thing heating up was Butch. He doesn't like what I was saying, he doesn't like being presented with THE FACTS, so let's just gag the citizen and keep her from being heard. This should be alarming to you. 

                                     YOUR FACE HERE.

These two supervisors have presented themselves again and again as being "for the citizens," "treating people with respect," and making sure "the rules apply to everybody." How benign sounding! Butter wouldn't melt!

What happens if there are THREE such supervisors (a majority) which want to limit certain people from being heard? What is your recourse if YOU should fall prey to such inexcusable behavior? What if three of your elected officials just don't want to hear from you? Is that what they are elected to do? How do you stop it?

We must all be/stay vigilant to protect our rights.