Frustrated residents of Chickasaw took their complaint to the streets: they say they have been shut out of speaking at their own city council meetings for three years.
Citizens rallied outside City Hall carrying signs, then brought the protest inside to a tense council session. The restriction dates to 2020, when the council unanimously adopted a rule — originally justified by COVID-19 precautions — that ended open public comment during meetings.
‘We Don’t Have a Voice Here’
“We don’t have a voice here,” said protester Bill Vallon. “We elected them to elect us and represent us and what we need and what we’re looking for.” Some attendees disregarded the rule during the meeting to speak out anyway; one resident demanded the chance to address Mayor Barry Broadhead directly from the floor.
Broadhead defended the policy, saying residents can submit questions in advance through an online form and that officials are available before and after meetings. Protesters pushed back, saying submitted requests have gone unanswered — “maybe,” said resident Joe Spinelli, the mayor responds to one person, and maybe not to others.
A Councilman Agrees It Should Change
The protest found an ally on the dais. Councilman Kendall Sterrett said the current policy plainly is not working and announced he would move to restore the previous practice allowing citizens to sign up and speak directly to the mayor and council.
One resident tried a gentler tack: Datokah Buley collected citizens’ concerns from Facebook and delivered them written on paper hearts for Valentine’s Day, hoping to “open the door to open conversation.” The council was scheduled to vote on Sterrett’s motion at its February 28 meeting; it needed a majority to pass.