*Note: This is a reader-submitted opinion piece. Opinions and letters to the editor can be sent to news@crawfordcountynow.com

Dear Editor,

Last week I had a phone conversation with someone who was inquiring about a picture I snapped a picture during the Bucyrus City Council Committee Meeting last Thursday night. I informed them that this sign posted on the table was another form of the mentality of certain members of council. I would like the readers to know that I didn’t post this on any social media platform. I personally don’t agree with some of the nonsense that gets put out there by the same people with their own storyline or narrative. What I believe to be true, is that certain members of council are somewhat behind all of this.

With that, the city council has certain policies and procedures during these meetings. I understand that, but if you are going to enforce these rules, then enforce them all. Don’t pick and choose which ones that you want to enforce and not the rest. Are we going back in time to segregation our elected officials from the public? Are we going to use barriers between us? Are you going to take away the people’s rights to redress our government?

The 1st Amendment of our Constitution gives the people rights to free speech,the press,assembly and the right to petition the Government for redress of grievance. People should use these rights, before you lose them. If council rules are in violation of this, the city could be open for a federal lawsuit. Maybe the AdHoc committee on council rules should look at this more carefully. Ironically, this same committee still has not brought before the full council any updated rules, and we are nine months into this new council.

I asked this person what has the city council accomplished in the last 9 months? Why isn’t the council working on the priorities of this city and not the low priorities of other things, which take up the majority of council’s time. Yes, these other issues are important and need to be discussed. And deserve the right to be brought before council by anyone that wants to. Why do some members of council (chairman) allow people to talk about things that have nothing to do with that committee meeting? Others have been shut down or the statement has been made, if this is not on the agenda, no.

What gives, are certain chairman allowing certain people to say anything that they want for their own social media platforms. I asked the question, if a member of council is not on that committee, are they just like any regular citizen of this city. They are not in any capacity of their official duties at that time and are free to address any other committee.

We also discussed that someone got up to the podium, spoke about the law to the Interim Law Director and after speaking, offered their assistance in the matter. I found that remark very insulting and outlandish. What Law School did this person graduate from or pass the State Bar?

In closing, This is just part of our conversation. I will continue to speak freely in a media that has rules to conduct oneself. I will write about issues and problems that I feel the public should know. And educate people on the real facts and figures that some don’t want you to know. There are so many things that citizens haven’t found out about yet. Things are being hidden behind closed doors or don’t want out. If the city council wants to shut the public out of having meaningful and frank conversation about issues of our city, please do so. That’s why we have rights in this country, once again, use them or lose them!

Respectfully submitted, Greg White

1125 Hillcrest Drive

Bucyrus, Ohio 44820