Dear John (Nelson) - Your Harassment of me is out of line!
Dear John,
As reported in the Franklin Community News Blog on February 22 at the Franklin Common Council Meeting you weaponized the Franklin Police Department against me (unknowingly to the Officer) to harass and intimidate me before my public comments. Again, this past Tuesday, March 5 at the Common Council meeting (3:55 mark), you interrupted me during public comments and called me a liar. That is the second time you have called me a liar but stop short of specifically indicating what I am lying about.
You are trying to paint the appearance of me as someone who is belligerent, hostile and causing a disruption at common council meetings. When in fact if you review the video of every meeting I have attended, you will see as you know, John, that is simply not correct.
You also mentioned at the last meeting, as part of your ongoing harassment and intimidation toward me, that you will have me “thrown out” of the common council meeting. For what? Telling you and the common council in a very professional manner what YOU do not want to hear and what YOU do not want exposed at a public meeting? The fact that you and the City of Franklin are bought and paid for by Steve Taylor and Mike Zimmerman. Mark Belling even addresses this very fact on his show today March 7, 2024 (at the 159.38 mark). The fact that you sir do not make a move without the puppet masters telling you how high to jump or which way to turn. Thank goodness Zimmerman, Hersh, and Taylor were on your election campaign team. We understand you are now indebted and this is what is called political payback, no matter how detrimental it is to the City of Franklin or its residents.
It is hilarious that the common council, at Tuesday's meeting, needed to vote on a “Resolution to Confirm Internal Procedures on Entertainment Events and the Required Permitting and Processes Municipal Officials and Staff Shall Apply to Obtain Uniform Application for the Protection of the Health, Safety, and Well-Being of the Community.” I am still laughing. The ordinance has been on the books the entire time BUT NEVER applied to anything at the ROCK. Mark Belling referred to it as incest between the Mayor, Taylor and Zimmerman. So now we are on the record at Franklin City Hall that the city is now going to follow and enforce our own ordinances that have always been there. Job well done John!
I remember going to a couple of common council meetings prior to last April 2023 and watching a few meetings on live stream where your supporters, Taylor, Seymer, and a few others would blatantly yell and scream at the then Mayor during public comment. I do not recall the then Mayor threatening to throw those individuals out from the meeting. I also do not recall you or anyone else on the common council commenting during the meeting how horrible and unruly their behavior was. John, that gavel must have mysterious power, the power of the ROC! Remember ROC stands for "Return on Community"! Not to the community of Franklin but to the community of Zimmerman, Taylor, and Nelson.
It is sad that you are a law enforcement officer with the City of Waterford. I have the utmost respect for anyone who wears a badge, but you.
I know you are still new John, trying to find your way around City Hall and trying to figure things out. Let me point you to the City of Franklin Code of Conduct and Ethics for Elected and Appointed Officials, August 2, 2022. That would be you, John.
SECTION 4: ELECTED OFFICIALS AND COMMISSION/BOARD/COMMITTEE MEMBERS CONDUCT TOWARDS THE PUBLIC
In Public Meetings Making the public feel welcome is an important part of the democratic process. No signs of partiality, prejudice, or disrespect are to be evident on the part of individual Council/Commission/Board/Committee Members toward an individual participating in a public forum. Every effort is to be made to be fair and impartial in listening to public testimony or input. All Council/Commission/Board/Committee Members are to demonstrate, both publicly and privately, their honesty and integrity, and to be an example of appropriate and ethical conduct. And, all Council/Commission/Board/Committee Members are to respect and appreciate the public's participation, input, and opinions.
Be Welcoming to Speakers and Treat Them with Care and Respect
For many citizens, speaking in front of a governing body is a new and difficult experience; under such circumstances, many are nervous. Council/Commission/Board/Committee Members are expected to treat citizens with care and respect. (See section 2 D.) All Council/Board/Commission/Committee Members are to commit full attention to the speakers or any materials relevant to the topic at hand. Comments, when appropriate, and non-verbal expressions are to be respectful and professional.
Be Fair and Equitable in Allocating Public Hearing Time to Individual Speakers
The Mayor/Chair will determine and announce time limits on speakers at the start of the Public Hearing. Generally, each speaker will be allocated three minutes, with applicants, appellants, or their designated representatives allowed additional time. If a substantial number of speakers are anticipated, the Mayor/Chair may shorten the time limit and/or ask speakers to limit themselves to new information and points of view not already covered by previous speakers. Each speaker may only speak once during a Public Hearing unless the Body requests additional clarification later in the process. After the close of the Public Hearing, no additional public testimony will be accepted unless the Body reopens the Public Hearing for a limited and specific purpose.
Ask for Clarification, but Avoid Debate and Argument with the Public
Only the Mayor/Chair (no other Council/Board/Commission/Committee Members), shall be allowed to interrupt a speaker during a presentation if needed to clarify, keep on topic, or similar. Council/Board/Commission/Committee Members may ask the Mayor/Chair to have the speaker repeat or clarify if there is an audio issue, hallway noise, or other similar matter. And, Council/Board/Commission/Committee Members may ask the Mayor/Chair for a point of order if the speaker is off the topic, exhibiting behavior or language that the Member finds disturbing or out of line. If there are inaccurate statements made that the Member would like corrected, the Member shall be given consideration to state a correction to the Mayor/Chair but must not engage in any public debate. Member questions, regarding public input, to seek, clarify, or expand information are to be directed to the Mayor/Chair.
Follow Parliamentary Procedure in Conducting Public Meetings
The City Attorney serves as advisory parliamentarian for the City and is available to answer questions or interpret situations according to parliamentary procedures. Final rulings on parliamentary procedure are made by the Mayor, subject to the appeal of and to the Council, per Robert’s Rules of Order.
A review of ALL videos of meetings I have attended will clearly show that:
There was NEVER a need for the Mayor to request me to clarify, keep on topic, or similar.
There was NEVER a need for the Mayor to request a point of order if the speaker is off the topic, exhibiting behavior or language that the Member finds disturbing or out of line. Just because the Mayor does not agree with the comments, does not give the right to interrupt. It is a violation of my 1st Amendment rights and harassment.
Look forward to seeing you soon John.
Rich Busalacchi
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