Local News in Brief : Public-Remark Issue Still Open

Lawndale Mayor Sarann Kruse drew fire from members of the council and the public last week when she announced that public comment will be heard before--but not during--council discussion of agenda items.

Kruse, who presides over council meetings, said she made the decision to keep the meetings from turning into lengthy debates between the council and the public.

Resident Herman Weinstein objected, saying: “You don’t really want public comment.” And at the close of Thursday’s meeting, Councilman Harold E. Hofmann said Kruse’s decision was made unilaterally.

“This was not a council decision. It was the mayor’s decision,” he said. Hofmann asked that the issue be returned for council discussion at the next meeting, Jan. 5.