Dear Friends,
This Tuesday, April 23, Martin County Commissioners will decide whether to add a civility policy into their rules of procedure. We applaud Commissioner Jenkins for taking the lead on this important issue and are pleased he used some of our suggested language in crafting the policy recommendations:
Here’s what’s being proposed as added language within the county’s Rules and Procedures:
- Treat everyone courteously
- Give open-minded consideration to all viewpoints
- Listen to others respectively
- Focus on the issues and avoid personalizing debate
- Exercise self-control
- Embrace respectful disagreement and dissent as democratic rights, inherent components of an inclusive public process, and tools for forging sound decisions
Establishing a policy on civility is in no way an attempt to infringe on anyone’s right to free speech. Rather, it is an attempt to remind individuals who are engaged in public discourse to be courteous and respectful.
Other county and city governments statewide and nationally have adopted a civility code, including the City of Stuart and the new Village of Indiantown. Martin County should do the same. Having a policy on civility will serve as an important reminder to all of us – commissioners and residents alike - to be the best version of ourselves.
Do you care about civility? Here’s what you can do!
Please join One Martin in support of a Martin County civility code by attending the Commission meeting on Tuesday, April 23 and speaking during public comment which begins sometime after 9:05 AM. The County Commission Chamber is located at 2401 SE Monterey Road in Stuart.
If you can’t make the meeting, you can send a simple email in support of a civility policy to the Board of County Commissioners at Comish@martin.fl.us.
Or you can email or call them directly at:
Ed Ciampi, Chair eciampi@martin.fl.us 772-221-1357
Harold Jenkins hjenkins@martin.fl.us 772-221-2357
Doug Smith dsmith@martin.fl.us 772-221-2359
Stacy Hetherington shetherington@martin.fl.us 772-288-5421
Sarah Heard sheard@martin.fl.us 772-221-2358
Taryn Kryzda, County Administrator tkryzda@martin.fl.us 772-221-2360
For more information check out the links below:
Martin County Commission Meeting Agenda for April 23
Agenda item 19-0432 – Adopt a Policy on Civility
ICYMI - Below are One Martin’s two recent e-newsletters encouraging Martin County to create a civility code:
- A final push for a county civility code – January 2019
- Time now to treat each other with greater civility – December 2018
Sincerely,
Rick Hartman