Citizens Right to Speak at Public Meetings of the City

[Ethics Director, COJ]

This is proposed legislation being discussed by the Jacksonville Ethics Commission. They will hear from the public on this at their next meeting: March 11 Monday at 5pm, L. Roberts room, City Hall. I will take the results of this survey to them Monday.  I believe that citizens should have the right to address Boards and Commissions of the City before they take action on matters. This is not a right citizens now have under the Florida Sunshine law. We could create this right for the City of Jacksonville by legislation.  Thank you for your comments, Carla Miller, Ethics Director, City of Jacksonville.

[JeffreyS]

I like it.

[Charles Hunter]

So, JefferyS, vote in the poll! 

[Cheshire Cat]

Thank you Carla for all the good work you do! I voted for number one.   

[Noone]

Thank you Carla. I voted for number one.

[Noone]

Please vote.

[Sunbeam]

New to this forum because I was compelled under the subject of "The Peoples" right to speak at ALL called public meetings.
Too many times I have seen special interests have all the time in the world to address Council and also have the ability to rise more then once for additional input while the rest of us flounder having said our piece one time getting no time for rebuttal and its rather sickening.
Take for instance the "special meeting" Monday over the moratorium on Mobility Fees. Since it is a Committee meeting it is up to the Chair to decide if there will be public comment allowed, and because of the discontent over this Bill and the amount of people to show up against it I dont see the public getting a chance to speak.
While many of us write to and meet with our "Representatives" the lobbyists are doing ten fold. Plus they will have ample time and opportunity to address the joint committee as much as they want.
I remember the first and last time the Mobility fees were waived, after the agenda meeting Crescimbeni coming down and shaking hands and back slapping the developers in Chambers. I knew then "We, The People" had no chance no matter what we said. Then I think of all the times amendments are made to Bills AFTER the Public Hearings and I say to myself how much I would like to speak after they have made changes but I have "no right"......and that must change!

[Noone]

Moderators, could we get this moved to Jacksonville City Council? Carla, I hope you don't mind. I'm sure it would get the vote numbers up.
Just 24 hours out.
This will be pending legislation.
Is this going to be part of JCCI-2025?
What is the position of the chamber?

[Noone]

Wanted to bump this. Less then 10 hours out. Carla Miller will be presenting the results of the poll to the Ethics Commission. This should be some kind of Metrojacksonville History that will be made today if you ask me.

[Cheshire Cat]

One more bump on this thread.  It is rare that a public official actually asks for input from the citizens and then acts with their concerns in mind.  Everyone take a moment to weigh in on this issue. 

[thelakelander]

I just voted.

[Jason]

Voted.

I think the answer is pretty clear so far.