Assembly considers ordinance to limit free speech

To the editor:

I am once again writing as a concerned resident who lives in the Mat-Su Borough. The Mat-Su Borough Assembly is now trying to put a time limit on our freedom of speech.

According to Ordinance Serial No. 12-002, IM No. 12-003, an ordinance amending MSB 2.12.090, will limit “audience participation” at meetings to one hour. Did you realize that our freedom of speech was to be limited? I didn’t. I wonder if our founding fathers of this wonderful country are flipping in their graves with this insanity.

The ordinance reads as follows:

“E) When a public hearing lasts for one hour on any single ordinance, the assembly may continue the public hearing to time certain later in the same meeting or until a later meeting. The assembly will not consider the ordinance without first hearing all interested persons wishing to be heard.”

The Open Meetings Act states: “In addition to the rights protected under the Open Meetings Act Title 29 reiterates the requirements that all meetings be open to the public and also provides that the public will have the right to be heard at regular and special meetings. AS29.20.020.”

Alaska State Statute Title 29.20.020 says: “The governing body shall provide reasonable opportunity for the public to be heard at regular and special meetings.”

Jan. 17, at 6 p.m., the assembly will vote on this ordinance.

This is another important time for voters in the Mat-Su Borough to voice their sentiments to the assembly.

According to the Open Meetings Act, Alaska State Statute and the U.S. Constitution, we as the public have freedom of speech.

With our freedoms of this wonderful country slowly being diminished, why are the wonderful men and women in the military even fighting for our freedoms? And don’t forget about all the veterans who have fought for our freedoms as well.

Charissa Cherry

Wasilla