Demand the right to whisper in elected officials’ ears

To the editor:

I suggest that the following letter be forwarded to the chairperson of all organizations that meet in the public’s interest.

Mr. Chairperson:

Please be advised that if this or any other board, commission, assembly or other legislative body continues to allow electronic communications during meetings I, the interested and disinterested public, will demand the right to whisper in the ear of any seated member anytime. There is no difference in that communication other than the form of communication. Even our esteemed Senate in Juneau has a rule that there will be no electronic communication device allowed in the chamber during sessions.

Not only is the practice unethical, but it is one of the most disrespectful actions a person can pursue. I personally put it in the same category as trying to participate in a conversation where two of the participants are speaking to each other in a foreign language that only they understand. This totally unethical activity, by being allowed, corrupts totally the process of public meetings. Public testimony should be kept just that, public. One of the characteristics of electronic communications are that they are private until the sender or recipient makes them public.

William H. Bruu

Wasilla