Wheaton City Council's New Guidelines for Public Comment Raise First Amendment Concerns

Strategic Insights -

Wheaton City Council meetings have become increasingly contentious, with some speakers making personal attacks against council members, including Mayor Jim Carr. In response, Carr issued new guidelines for public comment, but critics argue that they infringe on free speech. Terry Pastika, executive director of Citizen Advocacy Center, warns that the city could face a federal lawsuit for breaching First Amendment rights. The controversy stems from complaints about land-development deals and calls for incumbents to be voted out of office ahead of local elections.

Key Takeaways:

  • The new guidelines for public comment, issued by Mayor Jim Carr, prohibit comments that are personally condescending, political, or do not relate to city business.
  • The guidelines were imposed in response to complaints about personal attacks against council members, including Carr.
  • Critics, including Terry Pastika, executive director of Citizen Advocacy Center, argue that the guidelines infringe on free speech and could lead to a federal lawsuit for breaching First Amendment rights.
  • Pastika claims that the policy is aimed at chilling the speech of people the council doesn't want to listen to anymore.
  • Residents Jonathan Myers and Joseph Mahady have expressed concerns that the new guidelines will stifle their comments and infringe on their right to free speech.
  • Councilman Alan Bolds, who is running for mayor, has defended his actions and denies any favoritism in land-development deals.
  • City Attorney Ed Walsh has advised that comments must relate to city business and refrain from anything political in nature.

Statistics:

  • 2 speakers suggested favored treatment in land-development deals for friends and campaign contributors of Carr in previous meetings.
  • 1 resident, Joseph Mahady, made comments implying that Councilman Alan Bolds was too big of a fan of special taxing districts.
  • 1 public comment meeting featured a call for incumbents to be voted out of office.
  • 2 residents, Jonathan Myers and Joseph Mahady, have expressed concerns about the new guidelines and their impact on free speech.

Sources:

  • Terry Pastika, executive director of Citizen Advocacy Center
  • Mayor Jim Carr
  • City Attorney Ed Walsh
  • Councilman Alan Bolds
  • Resident Jonathan Myers
  • Resident Joseph Mahady
  • Daily Herald Staff Writer James Fuller.