Mayor wants signs banned at meetings
Proposed rules would guide decorum when city commission convenes
Sara Thorp didn’t say a word at that meeting of the Lawrence-Douglas County Planning Commission, but commissioners knew exactly what she thought about a proposed Wal-Mart Supercenter.
She held a sign that read: “Wal-Mart sucks the life out of our community.” The first two words were printed in larger letters than the rest.
Thorp could continue displaying signs at planning commission meetings. But such behavior wouldn’t be allowed during meetings of the Lawrence City Commission, under a proposal to be considered Monday by city commissioners.
Commissioners will look at a policy governing decorum at their meetings. Among the recommendations: No shouting, no applause — and no signs. Violators could be kicked out.
Mayor Sue Hack, who asked city staffers to draft the proposal, said no particular incident prompted her request. She said she just wanted to be ready for trouble down the road.
“I felt that it was important for us to establish some guidelines just as a preventative,” she said. “I’ve just seen meetings, not only locally, but regionally, I’ve felt in some cases were out of control.”
She added: “In no way are we trying to stifle public opinion, public comment, people’s views that are different from ours.”
Lawrence resident Sara Thorp, in this file photo, shows her disdain for a proposed Wal-Mart Supercenter during a meeting of the Lawrence-Douglas County Planning Commission. The sign Thorp displayed at the October meeting and others like it would be barred at Lawrence City Commission meetings under a proposal by Mayor Sue Hack.
The proposal drew criticism from people who said it would infringe on free-speech guarantees.
“It seems to me if the person holding the sign is not obstructing the progression of the meeting by yelling or throwing things, then restricting signs in the meeting is just a way to clamp down on expression by members of the Lawrence community,” said Thorp, the Kansas University student who held the sign at the October meeting.
Caleb Morse, president of the Lawrence Association of Neighborhoods, had similar concerns.
“I guess I don’t mind the city commission trying to make things smooth and civil,” he said. “Restricting signs and prohibiting people from clapping to a comment they agree with seems a little extreme to me.”
But there is some support for the proposal.
| Here’s a look at some excerpts from a proposed city commission decorum policy:¢ “City commissioners, staff and members of the public are expected to conduct themselves with civility and to accord each other a measure of dignity and respect. Shouting, personal insults and attacks, clapping outside ceremonial functions, whistling, stamping of feet and any conduct that disrupts the flow of business, is considered to be out of order.”¢ “Signs are prohibited within the city commission chambers.”¢ “The commission may establish time limits for the speakers.” |
“That brings some decorum — and frankly, respect — that I think has been lacking,” said Tim Holverson, vice president of public policy for the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce. “We have not had the civility and professionalism that we should exhibit to our fellow citizens, or to people from the outside.”
City officials said four other Kansas cities — Lenexa, Topeka, Wichita and Kansas City/Wyandotte County — had policies to address “disruptive behaviors” in meetings.
Wal-Mart proposal“Although the policies on decorum and order are uncommon in Kansas, they are prevalent in other areas of the country,” Theb Manivanh, an intern in City Manager Mike Wildgen’s office, wrote in a memorandum on the issue.
The commission will discuss the issue at its next meeting, at 3 p.m. Monday in City Hall, Sixth and Massachusetts streets. Morse said he probably would attend.
“Maybe,” he said, “I’ll take a sign.”