Statement of concern to the Assembly

Editor’s note: Mat-Su Borough Assembly Member Warren Keogh read this statement into the record at the assembly meeting March 5 in response to residents’ concerns about treatment they received after testifying to the assembly at a previous meeting. Keogh also sent a copy to the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman, which had printed letters from some of those who had received rough treatment from the assembly.

To the editor:

Since the last assembly meeting of two weeks ago, a number of concerned citizens have contacted me over the extremely disrespectful behavior of the assembly and mayor shown toward citizens who came to testify publicly.

Holding public office at the local government level necessarily means we all sometimes hear comments in public meetings we don’t agree with. Each of us responds in different ways, but our responses should be respectful and fitting for the decorum of public meetings. It is more than a matter of maintaining good relations with the public.

In some of our recent assembly meetings there have been lapses in respectful speech. In our last meeting, harsh words were spoken by members of the assembly and were directed toward women who are constituents of mine who made public comments during audience participation. While we are not responsible for the words that come out of the mouths of other elected officials, some speech does reach a point where it becomes inappropriate and over the line of civility and decency.

There are several instances where we crossed that line. Name calling with foul language in assembly chambers not only reflects poorly on individual elected officials, it also reflects poorly on us as a body if we tolerate the use of such derisive, disrespectful language. For an assemblyman to publicly demean and insult any resident with foul language in this public meeting place is uncivil and inappropriate.

So let’s stop making angry verbal assaults. If we disagree with someone, let us do so respectfully, especially here in assembly chambers.

We are not here to castigate and verbally demean the residents we serve. As we govern, let’s remind ourselves that we are here as public servants, and that we are here to listen.

We can do better.

Warren Keogh

Assembly Member, District 1

Mat-Su Borough