Redondo: Removal of City Council Critic

I have witnessed a troubling trend occurring at Redondo Beach City Council meetings. Chris Boyle, a resident of the city who often speaks on agenda items and during the public participation portion of the meetings, has been ordered removed several times, most recently for “dominating the meeting.”

Chris often speaks several times during a meeting. But since when does alleged domination constitute grounds for removal? The last time I checked, public policy required being “loudly out of order” for removal.

Chris, very often a critic, questions proposed decisions of authority. Very often what he says and questions are not at all frivolous, but are directly pertinent, relevant and are questions that should be asked--questions no one else, very often, is asking. There are others who are frequently at the podium who criticize Chris and who wish him silenced. Yet do they themselves wish to be silenced?

Chris is participating in government. He is studying the issues carefully, drawing valid conclusions and presenting them to the legislative body. This is exactly what many people would be doing given the wherewithal and understanding.

It is dictatorial to remove speakers for content instead of volume. It is dictatorial to stamp out controversy by force rather than diplomacy. It is dictatorial to eliminate opponents just because they oppose. The truth is that we have actually bought into dictatorship. We put it in office and didn’t catch the shift. It’s now out of control. Who will be next?

The “two-year term accountability initiative” is the remedy. For more information, I am listed at (310) 379-6385.

SAL PRINCIOTTA

Director, Strategic Action League

of Redondo Beach