Council upholds free speech

By STACY MILLBERG - Staff Writer - smillberg@starbeacon.com
Star Beacon

May 05, 2008 11:29 pm

— ROCK CREEK — Two council members failed in their attempt limit the amount of time the public can speak at meetings.
Council President Kathy Takacs made a motion to allow members to speak for either five minutes or ask only two questions at council meetings. Council member Kim Gregory seconded the motion.
“I feel council meetings have become entertainment for certain members of the public,” Takacs said before she made the motion. “This is a time for council to conduct village business.”
Takacs also included in the motion that any council member could reserve the right to motion for adjournment at any time after the business portion of the meeting, which would not give the public the opportunity to speak, at all.
“That’s absolute censorship,” said council member Paul Benak. “If we have people who are interested enough to ask questions, we should listen to what they have to say.”
Takacs snapped back at Benak, accusing him of speaking out of turn.
“There was a motion and a second, and now I’m discussing,” he said. “If you recall, I’m the one who said I was not afraid of you, so you can ‘out of turn’ me all you want, lady.”
The motion failed 3-2 vote with only Takacs and Gregory voting in its favor.
In other business, the village will purchase 5 tons of cold patch Wednesday and then, in about three weeks, will purchase hot patch for repair work on Liberty Street, said village administrator John Casalina.
Council members also voted unanimously to create a village position of water-meter reader. The individual will be paid $120 per month and use his or her own vehicle to read water meters during the last two days a month, when meters need to be read.