New Commissioner Dan Schmidt shared a ten page document with his colleagues regarding how the public communicates during Public Meetings.BACKGROUND:It would not be an exaggeration to report the CCHD meetings are oft-raucus, chaotic and disruptive, interfering with Commissioners conducting business. At a recent meeting, a member of the public levied serious criminal charges against a Harbor Consultant and a Harbor employee. The allegations were unfounded and very possibly slanderous. All names of all parties are intentionally left out of this article, so as to not exacerbate and give credence to these allegations.#placement_573654_0_i{width:100%;max-width:550px;margin:0 auto;}var rnd = window.rnd || Math.floor(Math.random()*10e6);var pid573654 = window.pid573654 || rnd;var plc573654 = window.plc573654 || 0;var abkw = window.abkw || '';var absrc = 'https://ads.empowerlocal.co/adserve/;ID=181918;size=0x0;setID=573654;type=js;sw='+screen.width+';sh='+screen.height+';spr='+window.devicePixelRatio+';kw='+abkw+';pid='+pid573654+';place='+(plc573654++)+';rnd='+rnd+';click=CLICK_MACRO_PLACEHOLDER';var _absrc = absrc.split("type=js"); absrc = _absrc[0] + 'type=js;referrer=' + encodeURIComponent(document.location.href) + _absrc[1];document.write('');A New Era for the Harbor Commission:Commissioner Dan Schmidt shared his concern with his colleagues that questionable, hateful, inappropriate speech has no place in the public meetings. The past incident interrupted the business of the Harbor for over an hour.Commissioners agreed there is code language for control of slanderous / inappropriate speech during the Public Meeting. Commission Chairman Gerhard Weber underscored his intent to maintain order at CCHD meeting and promised to use the gavel when and where necessary. The chairman has complete authority and latitude in having a disruptive public member removed from a meeting.Commissioners were absolutely united in embracing free Speech and civil discourse.Schmidt stated, “The past behavior of a very few individuals has been regrettable. At Tuesday’s meeting, a member of the public accused commissioners of “…being a bunch of monkeys.” Schmidt supported the free speech comment because and he was steadfast in support of allowing the expression of opinion but the new commissioner said he and his colleagues would not tolerate unfounded, slanderous allegations, especially implying criminality.The Commission officially changed titles of leadership. The president now becomes the chairman, the number two becomes the Vice Chair and the secretary keeps the position.The Harbor District meets again January 7th at 2pm, at the Citizen Dock’s office. googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('ad-1515727'); });