In recent Saratoga Springs City Council meetings Saratoga residents have begun to raise concerns about the public’s ability to speak during the public comment period given the monopolization of the floor and disruptions of meetings by local Black Lives Matters activists.
In this post, I am presenting two brief videos from June City Council meetings.
The first is from the public comment period at the June 6 Saratoga Springs City Council meeting. A gentleman who identified himself as Jeff Gresavage expresses his support for the national mission of Black Lives Matter but expresses reservations regarding the tactics of the local group. He is shouted down by the local BLM activists.
The second video is from the June 20 meeting. Mary Beth Delarm addresses the City Council regarding their failure to maintain civil order at their meetings and expresses her concern regarding the undermining of democracy when citizens are discouraged from addressing their elected officials.
Saratoga Springs Politics 
Mary Beth received sustained, enthusiastic applause.
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Wow! She was excellent and spoke powerfully for those voices being silenced by heckling when they attempt to exercise their right to speak. She spoke the truth about many who are afraid to attend city council meetings for fear of their own safety. That also prevents them from exercising their right to speak. The vulgar language and cursing should not be allowed . Isn’t there a law against someone continuously screaming obscenities on the street? Why is it allowed in a city council meeting. The public does not want to hear obscenities. It is unnecessary , disrespectful and disgusting. It needs to stop. Now is the time to find someone else who can actually control a meeting and allow all voices to be heard. Maybe a retired kindergarten teacher?
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Shame on the current City Council for allowing the rabble-rousers to take over the meetings.
Someone needs to be the adult and tell these children that they need to follow the rules. Unfortunately, that adult apparently has to be a taxpaying citizen and not one of the people who were elected, and are paid, to do that job.
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For some reason, when I hear people speak, it reminds me of song lyrics. And with Alexa and YouTube it’s pretty easy to satisfy the desire to hear that entire song anytime and almost anywhere.
Two lyrics came to mind while listening to that gutsy lady during public comment period.
From Vincent by Don McLean: They would not listen, they’re not listening still. Perhaps they never will.
From Four Strong Winds by Neal Young: But we’ve been through that a hundred times or more.
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Amen, Henry.
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Our town officials are in need of support. Jurassic Parliament has been helpful to other communities.
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