Board May Curb Public Comment

After a member of the public tried to make a citizen’s arrest of the members of the Board of Supervisors--and proceeded to speak for at least an hour during their meeting--the board chairwoman said Tuesday that she will propose changes to the panel’s policy on public input.

Supervisor and Chairwoman Judy Mikels, visibly frustrated by the actions of Carroll Dean Williams on Tuesday, said afterward that she will ask her colleagues soon to revise the policy on public speaking at board meetings.

She said that a few people are taking advantage of the county’s current policy, which exceeds the legal requirements for public comment.

“I will not waste the public’s time,” Mikels said, adding that by her count, Williams spoke 14 times during the meeting, using the full five-minute allotment each time.

“It’s making a mockery of the system.”

Williams attempted Tuesday to arrest the entire Board of Supervisors. He charged that he had been prevented by the board from discussing a matter at the meeting because it was not within the county’s jurisdiction, which he said constituted a conspiracy to commit a crime.

“You have committed a crime in my presence, and that is what I am arresting you for,” Williams told the board.

County Counsel James McBride and several other authorities present said the board had done nothing illegal by limiting Williams’ speech topics, and the meeting continued.