LOCAL OFFICIALS PLANNING TO ENFORCE PUBLIC COMMENT TIME LIMITS AT WESTMORELAND COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MEETINGS

Local officials are planning to strictly enforce time limits on public comments at Westmoreland County Commissioners meetings.  Commissioners Chairman Sean Kertes announced the plan at yesterday’s meeting, saying some people are becoming more belligerent and repeating rhetoric while holding up business during the sessions.  There is now a clock installed on the wall that will count down the three minutes citizens have to address the panel and once it reaches zero speakers will be given a chance to finish their thought before their mic is muted, according to Kertes.  He says most people follow the rules but the new system is in place to handle those who don’t.