At Sussex County Council meetings, stop when light turns red

Speakers taking advantage of the Sussex County Council’s public participation portion of each week’s agenda face a ticking clock. They have three minutes to speak before a red light goes on at a gizmo at the speaker’s podium. They also get a yellow warning light.

The council has a policy of allowing people up to three minutes to speak but it has not always been enforced. The clock has been in place for many months, but more attention has been paid to it since Council President Mike Vincent has been making an effort to keep speakers to the time limit.

People might complain about the clock, but there is no law that requires council to allow public comment at the meeting beyond what is said at public hearings. However, all would agree that it’s important council continue to offer the public a chance to comment.

And who controls the clock? County Administrator Todd Lawson is the official time keeper.