Sparks council's plan to restrict public comment controversial

SPARKS - A proposal that would restrict topics citizens can discuss at Sparks City Council meetings will be considered today by the council.

The proposal has been branded as an infringement on free speech by citizen activist Sam Dehne and Richard Siegel, president of the American Civil Liberties Union of Nevada.

The proposed rule would prohibit speakers from addressing subjects, such as the war in Iraq, not related to city matters.

The rule would authorize the mayor to ask violators to redirect comments to a matter the council has control over.

The proposal is an attempt to keep government watchdogs from having their say, Dehne said.

"Anything that restricts freedom of speech, the First Amendment and the Constitution is despicable," said Dehne, a Reno resident who regularly attends Sparks City Council meetings and other public meetings.

Siegel wasn't sure if the proposed rule would withstand judicial scrutiny.

"Open comment is just that - it's open comment," Siegel said. "It takes courage to get up before (a government body), and to shut down somebody because it appears, in the judgment of somebody there, they are speaking inappropriately is problematic."

But Councilman Geno Martini said the council has received numerous complaints from residents who are upset that some speakers misuse the public comment period to sing, insult council members or speak about matters not involving Sparks.

"They are tired of people abusing the public speaking forum," Martini said.

City Attorney Chet Adams also defended the proposed rule.

"Citizens are free to go to a traditional public forum and talk about any subject they want," Adams said. "But city council meetings are not public forums. (The council is) there to conduct government business, and there is only a certain amount of time to work on those matters that affect your jurisdiction."