file photo by Boyd Loving
Dear Council,
I agree that long lines of speakers behind the lectern are a relatively recent development as issues affecting the future of our village arose and contentiousness reigned. In addition, council meeting agendas were absurdly crammed and many pages long, making the hour impossibly late and everyone cranky. This meant that people who had hoped to speak but could not stay up into the wee hours were forced to leave Village Hall without saying a word. At more than one such meeting, people greeted the council with “Good morning” as they began to speak.
For years we were given only three minutes–and there was no second comment period at the end of the meeting. Those of us representing the Graydon group routinely had complicated and timely points to make. I know that I was not alone in having to rewrite and edit my statements for hours, practicing over and over in front of the clock, whittling my comments down to three minutes, often forgoing important points because I couldn’t say them fast enough, and not wanting to come off as the world’s fastest speaker, with my words signifying nothing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
It was truly a waste of time and served no one well.
Then we learned that the three-minute limitation had been incorrect all along, and suddenly five minutes was allowed. Remembering how difficult it had been to abide by the shorter limit, I felt both relieved and frustrated: it was too late for the longer time to help us much, since by then we had won our main fight to preserve Graydon.
Still, progress is progress. There will always be new issues and comments. I can say from long personal experience that the difference between three and five minutes is enormous, considering that within the allotted time one must adjust the microphone, state and possibly spell one’s name and address, and perhaps interact with one or more persons on the dais. The seconds fly by.
Some residents and others truly have complicated statements to make; others may be nervous and unaccustomed to public speaking, and end up pausing a lot, or not know how to stop talking until the bell rings; yet others simply like to hear themselves talk, and go on and on, meeting after meeting, about what they want and do not want personally, annoying and boring all present, and probably an important motivation for considering shortening the time for all.
Those making comments would do well to make their points and leave the lectern rather than feeling obliged to use the full time allowed. (I can’t claim to have always succeeded in this, but it has happened far more often when I had five minutes than three.) Perhaps it would help if the mayor noted from time to time that the speaker who does so tends to make a stronger impression.
I hope you will not restore the shorter maximum speaking time. In some important situations, that limitation prevents speakers from making their points at all.
Sincerely,
Marcia Ringel