An editorial that appeared in the Princeton Packet on June 15 titled “Meetings Need to be Controlled” referenced a lack of civility and respect by the citizenry perpetrated upon the poor helpless mayor, administration, and town council during public comments.
As a resident of West Windsor who has been attending town council meetings since March, my assessment of the situation is the opposite scenario — one in which the governing body of West Windsor, with the exception of Councilman Bryan Maher, treat the residents offering public comments with disdain, ridicule, and disrespect. Our legitimate questions are not taken seriously, and for the most part, go unanswered. If Council President Khamal Khanna is pleased by the speaker, he or she is allowed to speak for more than three minutes. However, if questions are asked or a topic comes up that makes the mayor/administration uncomfortable, the speaker will be rudely cut off in mid sentence.
I have seen Councilwoman Kristina Samonte roll her eyes at a speaker during public comments, and I have been shouted at and scolded by Township Attorney Michael Herbert for not following “Robert’s Rules of Order.” Being a lowly taxpayer, I am not well versed in Robert’s Rules, but it seems to me that they are only invoked when there is an attempt to stifle the speaker’s right to free speech.
A line in the June 15 editorial that states “this behavior cannot be allowed to continue.” That is what you would expect to hear in the Soviet Union or China, not in the USA where dissent and oversight of elected public servants is considered a patriotic duty, not a crime.
The editorial also mentions partisan politics being played on the part of Republicans. Be reminded that there are only two Republicans and three Democrats sitting on this council, and when the Republicans pushed for a small amount of tax relief the Democrats voted as a block to defeat the proposal, not even allowing Mr. Maher to give input during the debate. Who is really playing partisan politics here?
I do agree with one thing the editorial stated — we should treat one another with respect. I might add that respect is a two way street, and it must be earned by our public servants if we are to continue functioning as a democratic society.
Debbie Hepler
10 Dean Court, West Windsor
