Sandpoint mayor cancels remote comments

SANDPOINT — Commenting on the city's public meetings remotely will no longer be permitted as of the June 5 council meeting. 

This decision was made by Sandpoint Mayor Jeremy Grimm after “disturbing” comments were made by remote commenters at the May 15 meeting regarding the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. That meeting marks the second occurrence of such comments since last fall. 

The move prompted several council members to express concern, saying they should have been involved in any decision to suspend remote comment. At the end of his announcement, Grimm rejected Councilor Pam Duquette’s request for a discussion on the issue, citing his role as presiding officer over the meeting. 

Deb Ruehle, council president, took her opportunity during council announcements to say that she believed making the decision without the council’s involvement was “somewhat inappropriate.”

“These are the people that we are representing,” she said. 

She referenced a mother with young children who waited through a recent hours-long council meeting to comment on an agenda item in person. At the time, she could have stayed home, Ruehle said.

The long-term councilwoman said she was disappointed there wasn’t a bit more in-depth conversation on the matter before Grimm made his executive decision to ban remote comments.

“I do appreciate what you're saying, but as being a representative of the public, that's part of our job,” Ruehle said. “We put ourselves out here to be attacked and it might not always feel good, and it's happened to me historically, but that's part of our job. And I believe I may have heard those words from you at some point in time, too.”

Those wishing to comment but unable to attend meetings can send in written comments ahead of time, Grimm said when in response to the concerns.

However, written comments can’t replace being able to respond in real-time, because often commenters change what they want to say based on what others are saying or additional information that is provided at the meeting, Ruehle said. 

Since this was only the second time in her 10-12 years on the city council that she had experienced inappropriate use of remote commenting, Ruehle said she did not find the change necessary.

Grimm said that there may be special circumstances when residents who have arranged for it ahead of time can comment over Zoom. 

“I hope I haven’t offended you, but I can’t tolerate this type of disturbance,” Grimm said referring to the original incident with the remote commenters. 

He suggested that council members could add the item to a future agenda to discuss the matter if they would like to see a change.