Callaway commissioner seeks censure for offensive public comments

Yahoo

29-04-2025

BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – Commissioner Kenneth Ayers added an item to Callaway's April 22 meeting agenda that raised eyebrows and sparked a debate.
Ayers proposed that Mayor Pam Henderson exercise more control if citizens make personal attacks on commissioners during public comment.
'I would like if we can get away from personal attacks, and if you hear them, just stop them. And if one of us hear it, you do a point of order and you stop it. The order of the meeting before the citizens are allowed to make their final comments. You know those are optional, and until we can get that discussed and we can decide what we can and can't say in those, maybe we should suspend those for now,' Ayers said.
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The mayor had a sharp response.
'In my defense, I think it's difficult to censor what the citizens want to say, and I will tell you, commissioner, I have heard you sit in that very seat and make derogatory remarks about me, and I just let it go,' Henderson said.
The only time the public can make comments in front of the entire commission is during the public comment section of the commission meeting. Commissioner Bob Pelletier said if Ayers is too sensitive to the comments, maybe he should find another job.
During the public comment portion that followed his request, Ayers felt as though he was being attacked once again.
'You're interrupting my 3 minutes,' A resident said.
'I don't care about your 30 minutes,' Ayers replied.
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City officials referred back to the Sunshine Law while maintaining that they have no intention of suspending comments.
Mayor Henderson says she will not censor constructive criticism. Following the public comments, the commission carried on the meeting as usual.
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