HomeMy WebLinkAboutHandout Given By Mr. Edward Martinez
Date: January 22,2007
The attached document was presented to the
City in relation to comments made by Mr.
Edward Martinez, during "Public Input" at the
January 22, 2007 City Commission Regular
Meeting.
OPEN STATEMENT
January 22, 2007
Leadership is not about winning an election. A leader is one who acts as a guiding force
and demonstrates the ability to lead.
A few weeks ago the Commission had an opportunity to deal with the three-minute
public input issue and full public participation and once again muffed it. Mind you that I
am not against the three minute rule imposed under the Public Input item in the agenda.
This rule should stand and only changed by a ruling by a majority of the Commission.
I am against the imposition of three minutes while debating Public Hearing items during
which others are sometimes given hours to debate the issues while the interested and/or
affected public is limited to three minutes.
When addressing Public Hearing items the chair should not call for Public Input first, as
has been the case, but give the residents an opportunity to listen and learn what the issue
is all about in order to make intelligent comments. Please do not use the excuse as has
been the case, that the material can be found in the web site; it is not a valid nor an
intelligent excuse. People cannot listen to formal discussion while reading an item on a
web site.
The Commission needs to establish policy dealing with the correct leadership position
with regards to public meetings. Every citizen of this community should be treated equal
and any time limitations are imposed on speakers, they should apply equally to all
without exceptions.
It is nice to campaign, as some of you did, promising the people a more open
government, more direct access, open forums and the such while in reality you are really
stifling the right of citizens to dissent by limiting their input.
It is not correct to be biased and inconsistent when selecting who is permitted to speak
longer than others merely because of social and political ranking and personal
relationships, as has been the case of late.
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205 Little Creek Lane
Winter Springs, Fl. 32708