At Issue: Should Cobb County consider uniform public comment rules? – Atlanta Journal Constitution

In Cobb County, residents have many opportunities to speak before the Board of Commissioners, the Cobb and Marietta Boards of Education and at the six City Council meetings of Acworth, Austell, Kennesaw, Marietta, Powder Springs and Smyrna - not to mention the planning commissions and other boards of these governmental entities and many town hall meetings.

However, regulations vary on how much time Cobb residents are allowed to voice their opinions and whether they will receive a response. Public hearings on zoning matters are separate from the public comment portion. Speakers must sign up in advance and state their names and addresses.

In Austell, residents may speak near the beginning of the monthly meeting. In Marietta and before the Cobb Board of Commissioners, residents may speak during the twice-monthly meetings near the beginning and at the end. In Kennesaw and Smyrna, residents also may speak during the twice-monthly meetings but at the end. In Acworth and Powder Springs and before the Cobb and Marietta Boards of Education, residents may speak near the beginning of the twice-monthly meetings.

Except for the Cobb Board of Education, allotted times for each speaker are set - usually five minutes each. With the Cobb BOE, speakers do not know how much time they will be allowed - one time this year only one minute as determined by Board Chair David Chastain until school board member David Morgan made a motion to give each speaker one additional minute. Many comments concerned the unidentified North Cobb High student who made racial threats, Cobb school officials said one to two minutes was sufficient since a maximum of 15 speakers are allowed for 30 minutes. However, the Cobb BOE can allow 30 more minutes at the end of the meeting.

The lack of uniformity has frustrated some concerned citizens who want their voices heard. Some officials say they just want meetings to run smoother and quicker. What do you think Cobb County should do about public comment periods during government meetings?

Send comments to communitynews@ajc.com. Submissions may be edited for length and may be published in print and/or online.

DeKalb County Sheriff Jeff Mann pleaded not guilty Friday to charges of indecency and obstruction after he allegedly exposed himself in a public park and ran from Atlanta police. He appeared in Atlanta Municipal Court for a brief hearing to enter his plea. His trial is scheduled for July 7.

In the meantime, residents of DeKalb County are torn about what should be done about Mann. Some assert as a law enforcement official, he should be held to higher standard and resign his post or be fired. Others maintain what Mann did was a victimless crime and although he showed bad judgement, he should be forgiven and the county should move on.

Last week, we asked readers their opinion. Here are some responses:

His conduct certainly falls into conduct unbecoming as the DeKalb sheriff. There doesnt appear to be any doubt that he ran after an officer identified himself as police. If it was a deputy booked for the same thing what would he have done? It wouldnt be a one week suspension with pay I dare say. He is entitled to due process on the misdemeanor charges, but that isnt the question. How can his deputies continue to have any respect for him? It is another disgrace to DeKalb County. I predict he will be removed from office if he doesnt resign which he should do. Dennis Caniglia

Sheriff Jeff Mann should resign. He is a leader and as such he should held to the highest of standards. Would Sheriff Mann tolerate this type of behavior from one of his deputies? If the people of Dekalb County accept substandard and deviant behavior from the sheriff, can they expect better from others in and out of government? The sheriff should resign immediately. Freddie M. Edenfield

This was a victimless crime. I am of the opinion that we should all move past it. His embarrassment has been enough to pay for what he did. Warren Bice

I think he should resign because one he did not use good judgment. You go to a public park and expose yourself, knowing you are public figure elected to serve and protect the citizens of Dekalb County. It shows that he has other problems that he needs to address before he can lead a major department. Richard Taylor

The sheriffs indiscretion was a victimless crime. He is a good man. The county should move past this incident. Let it go! Catherine Carter

There should be no question on what should be done to Jeff Mann. An elected official caught by law enforcement breaking the law in such a lewd manner. Who knows how many times he has done this? Thankfully he got caught! Victimless? No, the law enforcement officer who caught him was the victim! FIRE HIM!!!! Cherie Gibson

I think Sheriff Mann has already paid a high enough price for the incident in Piedmont Park. This was, in my opinion, a victimless crime for which he has already suffered very public humiliation. I dont know what led him to expose himself to the officer but I find it very sad that a man of his education and career success should feel a need to do so. He has already suspended himself from work and to his credit has not tried to deny his mistake or blame others. I hope that he will seek help to understand why he placed himself in such a self-destructive situation. However, I dont believe that his actions disqualify him from performing his duties as Dekalb Sheriff in the meantime. Let us show some compassion for this man. Judith Mozley

He is a negative example to his employees and the community. This incident shows that Sheriff Mann is a pervert. Imagine what is going on inside the job site. I suggest that he resign and be prosecuted. Donaldo Whyte

He is a grown man who knew bloody well what he was doing and why he was there. He is a disgrace to the county and ought to be fired. I would feel the same way about a female official who was caught soliciting for prostitution. Susan Harte

We were upset when we saw the article about DeKalb Sheriff Jeff Mann was arrested because he ran away from the Atlanta police officer. Yes, Sheriff Mann ran away and that was wrong, but the officer made an issue that could have been handled in a better way. Sheriff Jeff Mann has been a dedicated officer in his years that he has served in the law enforcement in DeKalb County. He has been involved in public service to so many organizations. He should be allowed to continue his service as DeKalb County sheriff. Josiah V. Benator

It is my opinion that Sheriff Mann should be fired for breaking the law by exposing himself in public and then fleeing a law enforcement officer. Furthermore, I believe that he should get the maximum penalty for those offenses. While Sheriff Manns sexual preferences/delights are his business, he chose to break the law that he was voted to uphold by the people of DeKalb Countynot only one law, but two laws. Rose Casey

The better question: When does a lapse in judgement, during which nobody was maimed, murdered, or harmed in any way, warrant an investigation or a resignation? Answer: It doesnt! How many of you clamoring for the sheriff to resign can HONESTLY say that you have never done something that, in retrospect, you wished you hadnt? Answer: Crickets.

Time to stop being so judgmental and MOVE ON and focus our energy on the REAL criminals and their crimes and the havoc they cause locally as well as nationally. I applaud Sheriff Mann for the self-imposed suspension that exceeds the Code of Conducts recommended discipline for a first time offense. Clara Black DeLay

Read the rest here:

At Issue: Should Cobb County consider uniform public comment rules? - Atlanta Journal Constitution