PORT JERVIS – Mayor Kelly Decker raised some eyebrows last week when he announced changes that appeared to cut back on public comment at Port Jervis Common Council meetings.
Typically, people were given a brief opportunity to comment at the start of the council meetings. That was done away with, but they were encouraged to comment on specific motions as they came to a vote during the meeting. Some citizens took advantage during Monday night’s council meeting
Decker said the intent was a more focused citizen input and more openness because he also abolished the routine executive sessions that were held prior to convening the public meeting.
“Our public has more rights than it ever has before with this new Common Council agenda,” the mayor said. “Just by being able to speak prior to any public vote as well as being able to clearly listen, as we will in a few minutes, to the process in which any item that most people believe was covered up in executive session for a vote.”
Decker said the public’s First Amendment rights “have never been in jeopardy.”
A few of the citizens attending the meeting raised concerns that appeared more aimed at seeking clarification.
Council members had mixed views.
Lisa Randazzo agreed with Decker’s view that council meetings are primarily to conduct city business.
Kristin Trovei wanted to keep the comment periods at both ends of the meeting.
“I do believe in public comment; I think it’s an important part of the process,” Trovei said. ”Having it at the beginning and the end I think is a good idea.”
Perhaps one immediate consequence of Decker’s policy change came toward the end of the meeting when the council discussed, in the open, accepting a donation of one of the two upper Pike Street lots rendered vacant by a fire several months ago. The owner of the lot apparently has indicated it was not his intent to pay back taxes and demolition costs related to the lot.
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