The City takes ANOTHER shot at our rights

I haven't posted in a while, I was going to take a week or so off to help with some family matters and take some time for myself. But when councils Queen Bee does something SO FAR from what is right.... Well Edmund Burke said, "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing."

The Wilkes-Barre 'ruling class' has decided to look into enforcing an ordinance that will take away our right to free speech. Since you have probably read the articles this morning, I'll just do the 'quote thing'.

From the Citizens Voice
Proposed W-B ordinance bars 'impertinent' remarks at meetings
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A person barred from addressing council by the chairperson can only speak again if a majority of the council members present agree to rescind the order
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Yea, THAT'S gonna happen. I see it this way. If you beg and grovel, then maybe they will ALLOW you to speak in their presence. Bull, they will DENY you that right.

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"This is just making sure people have the opportunity to speak to council and to exercise their free speech without being intimidated or concerned or scared," William Vinsko (assistant city attorney) said.
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Isn't this the guy neck deep in Leightons attempt to silence Denise Carey? Yea I trust his take on the First Amendment. BTW, Mr. Vinsko, I STILL haven't received the copy of the home rule charter that YOU promised me back in August 2010.

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Mary Catherine Roper, an ACLU attorney, said without complete knowledge of the city's ordinance, she can't say what conduct might warrant a speaking ban. Measures could be taken, though, if somebody purposefully holds up or disrupts every meeting, Roper said.
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Get ready for the city to waste another HUNDRED THOUSAND + DOLLARS to fight ANOTHER lawsuit it can not win.






And the Times Leader
W-B Council seeks change in decorum at meetings
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Kane said she couldn’t offer specific information on the planned changes, but she said she has become increasingly concerned about the way some people conduct themselves at meetings.
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I hope she means Leighton and herself! They are the worse offenders! I've wrote about that HERE and HERE.

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“But if somebody gets completely out of control to the point where it affects the ability of others to present their concerns to council, then there should be consequences,” Kane said.
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Does this include our childish mayor? He is the one who instigated the 'disruption' that the article mentions.


I saw this in the online comments:
From Barry_W
"Maybe it's time to elect people to council who will listen, offer dialogue and solutions that will solve the city's challenges.
If Kathy wants to avoid future incidents why doesn't she set a standard of behavior for council and the mayor? It is the mayor, twice, and her, once, that started "incidents" when they called Bob "Cupcake."
Instead, they want to remove all of our rights to show our outrage with how this city is run and how they conduct themselves.
Her attitude proves that we do not want her as our City Controller. She will not provide the checks and balances that we need."




Two changes I would like to see is council PAYING ATTENTION to the speakers!! So stop talking to each other instead of listening!!
And doing something for the full benefits they get! Oh right, some don't take the benefits... they take the cash buy out.

I'd also like to know WHO decides who is being 'impertinent'? I fear I already know.

I've always viewed the First Amendment as the right to publicly question our government. Without censure or reprisal. Council is trying to restrict our right to voice our grievances

This seems to stem from council looking at itself as Nobility. They should know Nobility comes from an honorable soul and selfless action, not some delusional sense of misplaced superiority.
LEAD BY EXAMPLE MRS. KANE


Dan Emplit WBFD
AKA Don Quixote