Paper Alley by William A Wright

Author:William A Wright [Edmiston, Dale]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Brave Knight Writers

SIXTEEN

The council meeting was due to start in five minutes. The crowd on the steps began to flood the chamber room. Conversations did not ebb; the room hummed like a beehive. Some people took to their seats, while others remained standing. There appeared to be no order to the gathering; then the gavel smacked the table as the president of the council called the meeting to order. Those standing plopped into their chairs, the buzz subsided, and the president spoke.

“I hereby call this meeting to order. First order of business will be roll call, but we’ll start the meeting with the pledge of allegiance.”

During the pledge Val remained seated, although he did put his hand over his heart. After the pledge, the president proceeded to call out each council member’s name, each committee chair’s name, and the names of other officers present. He then asked for the previous month’s minutes to be approved. The gavel tapped the table. Each officer and committee chair took a turn standing and reading reports, which would be entered into the records. It all seemed so proper and well structured. The reports of special committees followed. Forty-five minutes passed.

“Is there any unfinished business to address?” As he finished speaking, the president struck the table with his gavel again. “Very well, I call for new business.”

Ten people had raised their hands to be recognized for unfinished business without being recognized. A man in coveralls who had his hand raised spoke out.

“I want to discuss unfinished business. We have asked council—”

“Sir, you have not been recognized. You have no right to speak; you are out of order. I have closed the discussion of unfinished business; please be seated or I will have you removed.”

“Wait a minute. I have a right to speak—”

“Sir, you are out of order.” The president pounded his gavel on the table. “Remove this man from the chamber.” The president looked over at Val who was nodding his head in approval. Officer Peterson, who had stood at the back of the council chamber guarding the door since the meeting began, walked over and grabbed the man’s arm. The man shouted obscenities as Peterson escorted him to the parking lot. The others who had raised their hands to discuss unfinished business remained silent.

“I would like to remind everyone—I run this meeting, and we adhere to a certain structure to maintain order. Anyone who does not comply shall be removed from this chamber. I am limiting tonight’s meeting to one hour. Is there any new business?” By now a total of fifty-five minutes had passed. Twenty people raised their hands.

“Yes. The man in the blue shirt, please state your name and your business.”

“Yes, my name is Paul Morgan. My wife and I moved into town four years ago. I would like to know why the zoning laws are not equitably enforced. It seems some people are allowed to sidestep the rules.”

“Sir, I do not see an agenda sheet on this subject. Did you fill one out and submit it two days before the meeting?”

“I didn’t know I needed to.

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