Town Debates Amending Public Comments

Out-of-towners may have to sign-up ahead of Summerville council meetings to have their voices heard. 

At a town hall meeting on Wednesday, council postponed the first reading of an amendment that would require members of the public to sign up to comment on agenda items.

Mayor Bill Collins said the amendment was being considered, "so the meetings don't go on until midnight." 

Collins said the amendment, if approved, would help educate council members on public concerns and allow members of council to prepare to address those issues ahead of the meeting. 

Currently, the public comments period of council meetings are open to anyone who wishes to address town council. 

The wording of the ordinance would restrict the public comment period to "business owners, property owners, and residents of the municipality or others who wish to address council." 

"I'm in favor of an ordinance similar to this," said councilman Walter Bailey. However, he said he feels the current wording restricts too much.

Council members said they want to keep public comments open to those with issues and not limit content.

The amendment would still allow town citizens or those who own property or a business in the town to address council without being put on the agenda in advance.

But several council members have some reservations about the new amendment.

"The comments would be allowed only as an item on the agenda," said councilman Aaron Brown. "I think it denies the council the opportunity to hear about the problems."

Councilman Bob Jackson also had some reservations.

"What we're doing impacts our neighbors," Jackson said. "If we want to move forward and aggressively annex, we can't alienate those around us."

Updated to include wording on the ordinance and interview with Mayor Bill Collins.