I find it troubling that with an incredible number of substantive issues actively developing I find myself compelled to address something as basic as the public’s right to address their government in a public meeting.

Butler County Commissioner Bill McCarrier has turned the public comment portion in the bi-monthly commissioners meeting into a poor adaption of “The Gong Show” from the ’70s. “The Gong Show” was entertaining but there is meanness and a bully quality about the partisan censorship dished out by McCarrier. I invite all to watch the last meeting on YouTube. First access the Commissioners from the Butler County Web site, second click on Jim Eckstein, third click on view meetings on YouTube and select 8-13-14. Enjoy!

Prior to the public comment portion of the meeting, rules for appropriate content are read to the meeting by Chief County Clerk Amy Wilson. Those rules contain the phrase, “may come before the board.” Immediately after Wilson has concluded, Commissioner McCarrier adds to the established rules and limits subjects to those subjects on the agenda. He made that up. The rules as read are statute and McCarrier’s interjection is merely his fictional desire to be able to censor at whim, which he then proceeds to do.

Freedom of speech, which we ensure by the First Amendment to our Constitution, is a country and in our case a people saying that we are not afraid of ideas. We are confident that we will be able to transcend bad ideas and the wisdom of the people will finally overcome any destructive notions that come before us.

My question to Bill McCarrier is; what are you afraid of? What idea could anyone express in three minutes that would rattle the foundation of your world so profoundly that you choose to censor rather than listen?

Censorship is un-American, undemocratic and cowardly. Censorship has no place in the governing of our county. We need to review what should be permitted during the public meeting and at least return to the format of one-half hour in front of the meeting and one-half hour at the end of the meeting for a period of uncensored public comment.