I spoke at the October 21 regular BoC meeting in regards to a new Public Comments policy. Among the new changes regarding new deadlines for media submissions and limiting everyone to 3 minutes, was a restriction on electronic media to remove video formats from being shown during public comment.

"Madam Mayor and Commissioners, good evening. My name is Abby Black.

I am grateful for the right to petition under the First Amendment. It is obvious that the Town of Wake Forest also values that right. The general public’s access to the Town eccelesia allows us to present our feedback about Town policies to our closest representatives, and that, I believe, is one of the great cornerstones of our Republic. I’m here tonight to speak about the proposed revisions to the public comment policy.

In the October 7th work session, the Board agreed on several new restrictions, including removing the ability for residents to submit videos for viewing during public comment. I am here to petition the Board to continue to allow video format submissions.

For the sake of time, let me mention two great examples of why videos are so important.
It is always so inspiring to see the videos and progress happening in regards to the PANDAs awareness. It allows residents to be part of the PANDAs community, giving a greater picture of the needs and prayers and events where citizens can connect.
At the last State of the Town, which is in a broad sense a community forum, we got to see the progress on how Wake Forest’s town programs are thriving.

But, if these videos can be openly shared with us, are not residents’ public comment videos equally as important to openly share with you?

I have spoken before you several times on a variety of subjects and often use electronic media to provide additional context when I lack the time to say it aloud. I invest a lot of time and care compiling research for these slideshows, which, when exported in a mp4 format, allows me to simply hit play instead of manually tabbing through each individual slide. Hitting play efficiently streamlines my comment so I can focus on what I want to say, ensuring that I am as succinct and informative as possible.

Several of you review my mp4 slideshows — I appreciate that you do that. I am also pleased that the Board declined the proposed exclusion of all electronic media, as a great many citizens, including those who are hearing impaired, process information primarily through vision. I both rely on and appreciate the electronic media that people use to communicate, especially if they are highlighting additional and necessary details. In addition, still photos fail to capture the full context.

The Town of Wake Forest’s website says that the Town is “Committed to Transparency,” and that the Town abides by North Carolina’s Open Meetings and Public Records laws. NC General Statute §143-318.14, regarding the broadcasting or recording of meetings, states that public bodies must have equipment for broadcasting, and if the equipment is meant for the use of the public, then it must be made available for the public to use.

Do not citizens possess the right to express our opinions as effectively as other bodies who display videos before the Board?

As such, to continue the equal treatment of all people who wish to present videos in Town Meetings, I petition the Board to continue accepting video formats for Public Comment.

Thank you for your time."

The Commissioners voted unanimously to adopt the new restrictions.

After the meeting, one of the Commissioners came up to me and told me that this public comment was my best one yet, as I wasn't rushing my words to fit into 3 minutes. I responded, "Thank you! It would've been nice to keep my video slideshows, though, so I can focus on being as clear as possible while enabling everyone, in the room or online, to see my additional resource information."

The Commissioner replied, "Well, you can just email it to us. They can do a FOIA request."

He entirely missed my point or doesn't want the public to see my information, but I appreciate his compliment.

Now I'm learning how to efficiently tab through slideshow images while reading my prepared statement.