John Adair attempting to deliver a public comment during the meeting/Screenshot via YouTube
A local activist was ejected from a meeting of the Amarillo College Board of Regents on Tuesday night.
John Adair was attempting to give a public comment on Tuesday night after AC Board Chairman Jay Barrett announced that public comment was closed. Barrett closed public comment after noting that no other citizens had signed up to speak. Adair, who did not sign up to speak, asked to give a comment and made his way to a microphone before being told that he would not be allowed to speak.
According to Barrett, the AC Board’s policy is to require citizens to sign up to participate in public comment. Adair took opposition with this, saying the board policy violates state law.
“You can’t demand it,” Adair said.
Barrett suggested that Adair sign up to speak at a future meeting and the board would be willing to listen to his comments then. However, Barrett stood firm in not allowing Adair to speak at this meeting.
“No,” Barrett simply said after Adair demanded to speak without signing up.
Adair was then escorted out of the meeting by a law enforcement officer.
The dispute over public comment at the AC Board of Regents meeting follows recent disputes in other local government meetings about public comment. Citizens also recently protested after public comment was restricted at a meeting of the Center City Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone Board of Directors on Friday. AC Regent David Woodburn also serves on that board.