By Vernon E. Perry

I had an extremely powerful and overwhelming feeling as I watched Carolyn Logan be shushed at a City Council meeting as if she were a toddler in daycare making noise and disturbing the other toddlers who were taking a nap.

That was a total show of disrespect. Carolyn Logan is a grown woman and well over the age of being shushed. It shows a lack of morals and that we have elected officials who are unable to govern their behavior or conduct themselves when being confronted with an uncomfortable truth.

I have known Carolyn for years and am truly appalled with the way she has been treated by this council when she attends council meetings. She has been called a liar when everything she has said is public knowledge. Exposure may hurt but it in no way gives anyone the right to disrespect her and definitely not shush her. Was that a power trip or an attempt to send a message that Carolyn is out of line when she speaks against certain people? How many times have citizens ripped Councilman Hardin apart at the seams? How many times was that person gaveled or asked to be removed from the building? It seems there are double standards and that should not be so. It only succeeds in tearing up a city that is already divided.

Ironically a preacher could speak and lie on Carolyn and it was not out of line, but when she speaks truth she is out of line. Something is wrong with that picture. I’ve examined all the videos of council and not once did Carolyn call the mayor a liar. She has used the word dishonest but never called her a liar. And for her to be called a liar when she is telling the truth speaks volumes. And to the question about what her kids would think, I challenge not only any preacher but any person to investigate. Her kids are very well mannered, respectful and think highly of her for speaking out and denouncing those who violate her rights.

My questions are, what ever happened to the transparency? Why does one crumble and dissolve at the revealing of the truth? Why does someone with no authority to intercede always find himself interjecting because he is afraid of what may be revealed next? What’s the secret? How can a city attorney condone something that is totally wrong? How can a lawyer be a council member and not explain to the mayor that it is a mistake to go behind closed doors and put rules in place with the expectation that it can violate constitutional laws? That does not happen.

This is America and as long as you are not using profanity and are not threatening anyone, you are free to speak during public comments. To all of a sudden prohibit a person that right because it makes one uncomfortable is wrong. Totally wrong. And until we come together for the common cause of what is right, this city will continue to be torn and divided.

Vernon E. Perry lives in Salisbury.

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