By Carol Lenoir
I recently attended a City Council meeting for the past Fourth
of July non-event and if you don’t have the benefit of seeing it on
CMAP let me relay to you how it went. I have been speaking in front
of my elected officials for almost 30 years.
I recently attended a City Council meeting for the past Fourth of July non-event and if you don’t have the benefit of seeing it on CMAP let me relay to you how it went. I have been speaking in front of my elected officials for almost 30 years.
Most times it’s very rewarding and sometimes, like the other night, it was very unpleasant. I addressed the mayor and the council with respect because I believe that when the people elect their officials to their district then the people have spoken that that is the candidate of choice to represent them and I can show respect whether I like them or not. It’s called “professionalism.”
I began my speech, which I had to speed-read, because the mayor was breathing down my back to wrap it up. I thought I had three minutes, instead of the two that was the requirement. I actually had a 6-minute commentary and I thought that I would be afforded that six minutes. I was wrong and I learn from my mistakes, so I will be back with my six-minute speech – three times.
Anyway I was voicing my opinion like so many others and about two minutes into my comments the booing and hissing started; I am telling you it was ugly. I asked the mayor to please allow me to speak without the interruption of hissing and booing. He responded that that was just the way it was. Well that’s just the way it is because it’s allowed.
If I were mayor I would respectfully ask the disruptive crowd to either maintain a professional attitude or take a time-out and come back when they can. Everyone, whether they have lived here a week or generations, should have the right to come and speak on any issue, whether for or against, and not have to be met with disrespect and hate. If this isn’t a breakdown of democracy I don’t know what is – kind of ironic that we are speaking about “Independence Day.”
We always hear how polite the biker is; then tell me why do you show such disrespect to your fellow community member when they are just voicing their opinion just like you? I can sit and listen to the bashing of our local government and not hiss and boo; it’s not easy but I do it because you have the right to voice your opinion. I’m not sure if it’s because my skin has gotten thicker or whether I am trying to age gracefully with professionalism – maybe a little of both. In the little time that I had nowhere in my comments did I say cancel the rally. I simply was headed down the pathway of solvency, however, I was not allowed to finish. I will be back to finish. I took time and care to craft a statement that was respectful and just because you do not agree is not reason to hiss and boo. Speakers take time out of their evening so they should be listened to and you should not be disruptive while others are speaking. I have actually had to move seats in order to get away from others that are talking while business is being conducted. I believe that the Council Chamber is a place that should be respected.
I know that there are folks that come to any rally meeting and sit in the back rows, solely for the purpose of ridiculing speakers. They do not come to intelligently participate; they come to heckle their fellow community members like it’s some kind of comedy night. Well, it would be funny if it weren’t such a serious community issue. I cannot believe that that is the kind of example that you set for your children and grandchildren. I teach my kids to voice their opinion, always, but in a polite and constructive manner. When I returned home so quickly, with red eyes because I was very sad, my family asked me why I was back so soon. I told them that I was booed and hissed until I left the chambers and they could see I was visibly shaken. When I was passing by the back row I said to a lady, and I use the term loosely, “there really isn’t any need to be rude”; she hissed at me and turned her back while another lady sitting near her said for me to “get out of here” like it was her place and her place only. You may not be able to hear all the ridiculing and booing on the CMAP channel so I just wanted you to know how it was and probably will continue to be considering the current meeting leadership.
However, be strong and don’t be afraid to come and voice your opinion; you just may have to talk a little loud to be heard; fortunately for me that is so not a problem. However, to raise my voice in those Chambers would feel odd; I will if I have to so that my opinion is heard just like the rest. If you just cannot do it, I totally understand, but contact your community leader and let them know how you feel about any and all issues that are of concern to you. I also want to publicly ask Leadership San Benito if they have any leaders, yet, that want to run for City Council; there are currently two positions up for grabs and I have always loved selection for these important positions and I hope you are instructing your students/community members on how to run a civilized meeting.
As always I appreciate you taking the time to read this statement from a fellow resident, taxpayer and voter of this community.
Carol Lenoir is a Hollister resident.
