Sign-Up for Comments Moves Forward

For Councilman Terry Jenkins, the argument is clear: When the town considered the smoking ordinance earlier this year, he heard from mostly state and regional proponents and opponents, and not many people from Summerville were heard.

Town council gave a 5-2 vote Wednesday to the first reading of an ordinance that would amend the public comments procedure during council meetings, held the second Wednesday of the month at . It would require non-town residents to sign up to speak at the meeting by 5 p.m. on Monday.

This would apply to Dorchester County and businesses that have contracts or bids with the town, but do not own property in the town, according Lisa Wallace, assistant town administrator. 

The ordinance also would require town residents and property owners within the town to sign up to speak during public comments before the meeting.

The sign-up also requests speakers to note what their topic will be. 

"Those people still get to talk, we'll just know what they're here to talk about," Jenkins said.

This issue was originally l. 

Councilmen Bob Jackson and Aaron Brown opposed the reading.

Jackson tried to amend the ordinance to allow Dorchester County residents the same privileges as Summerville residents when it comes to speaking at town meetings.

However, Mayor Bill Collins said that with the town's active view on annexation, speaking freely at the town council meetings is one of the perks of being annexed into the town. Jackson's motion failed.