Pensacola City Council President Sam Hall was unjustified in his treatment of Rev. Nathan Monk at the Dec. 15 city council meeting. However, the other council members could have easily rectified the injustice. Councilmembers Sherri Myers and John Jerralds walking out wasn’t the correct behavior either.
Any one of the eight council member could have made a Point of Order (which the chair must recognize under Robert’s Rules of Order) and questioned Hall’s treatment of Monk and whether the council president was in compliance with council rules—forcing a vote on whether Monk should be allowed to continue speaking.
Under Robert’s Rules: “A point of order may be raised if the rules appear to have been broken. This may interrupt a speaker during debate, or anything else if the breach of the rules warrants it. The point is resolved before business continues.”
Somebody on the Pensacola City Council needs to learn Robert’s Rules! Or have the courage to speak out and make the proper motion to get the group back on track.
Geesh, this isn’t that hard, folks.