Muzzling Public Comment at Commission Meetings

PROHIBITION AGAINST POLITICAL COMMENTS UNCONSTITUTIONAL

SIMONDS EXPOSES COUNTY TO POSSIBLE LAWSUIT

Fannin County Commission Chairman Bill Simonds has severely limited a citizen’s right to speak at Fannin County Commission meetings by prohibiting “political comments.” While Simonds may have the right to adopt reasonable rules to regulate public comments at Commission meetings, First Amendment attorneys say that it is unconstitutional for him to prohibit political comments but allow other comments.