CORTLAND COUNCIL President drops effort to limit public comments

The Rosewae Avenue improvement project will begin in about mid-May.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
CORTLAND -- City Council President Frank Stocz withdrew his effort to limit public comments to two minutes per person after an hourlong debate Monday.
Stocz introduced the proposal because some meetings have run two hours long and he wanted to make the meetings more efficient, professional and productive, he said.
The resolution was pulled from the table after hearing debate from fellow lawmakers and the public.
Four of six council members expressed opposition to the issue -- Councilwomen Deidre Petrosky and Diana Sweeney and Councilmen Terry Tackett and John Caparanis.
At one point, Gerald Bayus, a former councilman, threatened a recall attempt for any lawmaker who supported the issue.
"It's the most ridiculous and asinine thing I've heard in a long time," Stocz said after the meeting of Bayus' comment.
What was proposed
Under the proposal, members of the public would have had two minutes to speak on a specific issue. There was no time limit for council members.
"You can say an awful lot in two minutes," Stocz argued.
Caparanis raised questions such as who would keep the time and "who's going to tell them their two minutes are up and to shut up?"
Stocz said he would enforce the time limit and cut off comments.
Resident Ed Smith said he wasn't opposed to the measure but that it wasn't necessary because the council president already has the ability to control the meeting if comments become hostile, abusive or repetitive.
Another resident, John Ferris, agreed with Smith that the president has the authority to control the meeting.
Karen Reel, head of the Cortland Homeowners for Responsible Development, argued against the two-minute rule, asserting council "can't gag residents."
Councilman James Woofter said he believes a time limit would cause members of the public to better organize their thoughts and get to the point of their discussion.
"You have an obligation to sit and listen to us," Bayus told council, noting that they can quit if they don't want to listen.
Other action
In other business, council approved a $230,931 contract with Foust Construction Co. of Youngstown for the Rosewae Avenue improvement project.
Service Director Don Wittman said work will begin in about mid-May to install storm sewers and curbing and resurface and improve some sanitary sewers between Fowler Street and Woodview Avenue.
The contract calls for completion of the project in 60 days.
Also, lawmakers gave the authority to Mayor Curt Moll to sign an agreement with Buckeye Energy Brokers Inc. to perform natural gas aggregation services for the city.
Buckeye purchases natural gas on the market using the buying power of many users at a lower rate. Users will have the option of remaining with their current suppliers or joining the program.
Howland recently hired Buckeye for its aggregation program. Moll said he wants to join with Howland and other communities to strengthen their buying power, thus lowering gas rates.
Buckeye, the mayor explained, will be sending out fliers to explain its program.