Decorum ordinance proposed in Grantville – The Newnan Times-Herald

Oh, behave.

From time to time, political pundits debate the wisdom and efficiency of legislating morality. In Grantville, there is a move afoot to legislate civility.

Grantville City Council meetings sometimes include shouting between people on the dais and those in the audience. There also have been barbs traded between elected officials.

At the most recent council meeting on Monday, Councilman Barham Lundy said there were so many police in the council chambers it was “like the gestapo.” Mayor Jim Sells told Lundy he was “a shame and a disgrace.”

“I could say the same about you,” Lundy replied.

“We all know that Grantville is often viewed as a laughing stock in Coweta County,” City Manager Johnny Williams stated in an email sent to city officials on Tuesday. “We should all be ashamed.”

Now Williams has proposed a decorum ordinance — a concept heartily endorsed by Sells. “After last evening’s session of city council, I am more convinced than ever that some measures must be implemented to maintain proper order and decorum during these important meetings,” Williams observed.

The ordinance would make it a misdemeanor for an individual to break decorum at a city council meeting or committee meeting. “This would give the police the power to arrest anyone breaking our decorum,” Williams explained.

via Decorum ordinance proposed in Grantville – The Newnan Times-Herald.