Related Letter To The Editor in today's Record:
Public discourse must be civil
Regarding "Meeting decorum" (Editorials, Nov. 28):
The editorial seriously downplays the importance of promoting intelligent, mature and civil discourse at public meetings. As the cornerstone of local civic engagement, the atmosphere at these meetings reflects the underlying civic health and well-being of the community.
In Hackensack, at public meetings, I have witnessed excessive and unnecessary tirades from citizens, at times malicious, defamatory and intimidating in nature. Though some may find this amusing and entertaining, the result is embarrassment and harm to the city. A toxic and polarized atmosphere is created, driving away segments of the general public, while eroding the standing of local elected officeholders.
The City Council, unfortunately, has allowed this problem to fester, but is now entirely justified in proposing measures to establish and maintain a degree of decorum and civility. Whether or not a new ordinance is the best approach to accomplish this, the status quo is simply untenable.
It is quite ironic that nowadays, great emphasis is placed on establishing a respectful learning environment in our classrooms, free of verbal abuse and bullying, yet later on we virtually abandon these practices in public life as adults. I believe this to be a fundamental cause for the general decline in civic engagement by the public and especially among young people.
We must reject the notion that our open public forums be played out as contact sports or endurance contests, dominated by the most unrelenting and aggressive voices.
While issues of controversy are bound to be aired at public meetings, over-the-top melodrama is better showcased at performing arts venues, rather than at the podium.
Edward Lipiner
Hackensack, Nov. 30
