Citizens speak up after Lee meeting ejection

Several concerned citizens spoke at Tuesday’s Lee County Commission meeting about a Nov. 4 incident in which a public speaker was ejected from the chamber.

At the Nov. 4 commissioner’s meeting, resident Marsha Ellis addressed the board about changes to the county’s animal control ordinance during the public comment period. Ellis frequently speaks during this section of the regular board meetings about various community issues. 

Only about 30 seconds in to her allotted three-minute speaking period, then-Chairman Kevin Ruane interrupted Ellis, saying that she was not addressing the item itself, and she could give her comment at the next meeting.

Ellis continued, asking that the item be tabled, but at this point, Ruane appeared to usher in security, at which point Ellis was escorted away.

At the Tuesday, Nov. 18 meeting, Betsy Vaughn spoke on behalf of the League of Women Voters of Lee County, saying that Ellis spoke within the parameters of the commission rules on Nov. 4.

“We believe that the removal of the speaker was inconsistent with the usual treatment of public speakers and may have dissuaded others from stepping up to speak,” Vaughn said. “We urge you to proactively encourage public comment and then to truly hear and respect issues brought to you by constituents and treat all members of the public with civility.”

Resident Joyce Campana also addressed the moment at Tuesday’s meeting, citing several state statutes and administrative codes that she believed were violated in Ellis’s removal.

“The citizen was not rude, did not use profanity and was addressing the public documents attached to the agenda,” Campana said.