Payne exhibits inappropriate behavior in council meeting

Letter to the Editor:

I have been attending City Council meetings for six years now and really I had thought that I had seen it all from the last council, regarding inappropriate behavior from council members and our mayor. Monday night, Oct. 5, 2015, Libby hit a new low. Our City Attorney interrupted a council candidate speaking during the time allotted to hear from the public. Speakers are supposed to be allowed to speak uninterrupted for three minutes. 

Our Mayor always allows interruptions, unless they’re from a certain few, I believe he has referred to the few as The Three Stooges in the past. 

Anyway our attorney was allowed to interrupt candidate Orr’s speaking and turned it into a shouting match in which our high-priced big city lawyer yelled “do you want to make a bet?” twice. I have not witnessed behavior like this since third grade. It was highly unprofessional, in my opinion. 

We need a new attorney. 

To the mayor: Face up to it Doug. Peggy, Barb, in these new council members we citizens now have a voice in local government. Let’s all move on and get to the important work of fixing our little town, or is it city?

On a county note, I have repeatedly asked our commissioners about this topic. Can our Clerk and Recorder administer the next election fairly? Now I will ask Clerk Benson to please address her role in the Chicago-style corruption that Commissioner of Political Practices Motl has addressed regarding the 2014 City Council’s campaign law violations. Ms. Benson, do you think you can administer an election fairly with this hanging over you? Please ease our minds on this matter. I look forward to your reply.

Charles McFarland,

Libby