Feels silenced by supervisors
I have attended several Lowndes County Board of Supervisors meetings over the years. Businesses, special groups and local citizens come to the board on occasion to brief and engage them. I have made that request on three occasions in 18 years.
First was nearly a decade ago concerning purchases for a new 911 system. In the, past I worked with a large county’s 911 system and helped with purchases and setup. I thought they may like input to update the system, but they were not interested and dismissed me.
The next time I came to speak on a community subject, Mr. Leroy Brooks asked the board to delay me speaking until after they voted on a subject. That was when he made the motion that a speaking request be made to the board ahead of time to to prevent long drawn-out speakers and setting a time limit. This passed, I complied with that and filled the out the paperwork so I could speak at the next meeting, but I was only allowed three minutes to speak so I handed out information papers for review while I spoke. Mr. Brooks laughed at me, tossed the papers around and then tore them up and threw them in the trash without looking at them or asking questions. The other members said nothing of his behavior.
Over the years I have watched as last-minute speakers are given no time limits and citizens present to the board without having to submit letters and papers before.
Again, this week I asked to speak and was told I must submit a letter and material in writing and that all information pertaining to the subject matter must be reviewed to determine if the board would decide to hear me. I feel Mr. Billingsly is censoring my ability to bring concerns to the board because Mr. Brooks and other board members discriminate or feel threatened by a woman. How do I trust that they will handle information and not distribute the information or use it improperly other than it was intended?
My vote is not considered the same as others because I ran against one of the board members. It is wrong to prevent community access to elected officials because of a grudge. This one official has done everything to silence me.
I feel someone other than me should step up and ask questions since my request will be denied for any subject matter, and I feel this discrimination on a personal level. I bring these things to the board mostly to place it on the record and before the press to educate and voice concerns just like any county citizen.
Pauline Redmond
Columbus
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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