To the Board of County Commissioners (BCC) of Walton County:
We, the undersigned citizens of Walton County, hereby petition the BCC to consider implementing reforms to the public comment system in BCC meetings, specifically to establish rules prohibiting the use of racial slurs and to develop a legal framework for enforcing and reprimanding individuals who violate these rules.
As voters and constituents, we believe it is our right to have orderly and productive meetings where our elected representatives can conduct the business of the county.
However, the current public comment system is susceptible to abuse, as private citizens, who were not elected, often disrupt proceedings by exploiting loopholes in the rules and resorting to inappropriate language, including racial slurs and profanity.
BCC meetings serve as the primary avenue for our elected government to address issues and make decisions that affect our community.
It is unacceptable for these meetings to be hijacked by individuals who seek to create a toxic environment and hinder the democratic process.
Therefore, we urge the BCC to take a stand for its citizens and reclaim control of the public meeting process by implementing measures to prevent the use of racial slurs and other forms of disruptive behavior during public comments.
Sincerely,