Five-minute warning at meetings now in effect BY PATRICIA A. MILLER Staff Writer BRICK TOWNSHIP - Township Council President Stephen C. Acropolis wants to eliminate what he calls the "dog and pony show" that sometimes occurs during the public portion of meetings. Acropolis has changed the format of council meetings so residents will only be able to comment on resolutions at the end of the meetings, not as they come up on the agenda. "What I don't want to happen is what happened in the past, where people have used Township Council meetings to air political laundry," Acropolis said this week. "I've been called Attila the Hun at council meetings. Those days are over. We are going to work together in a civil manner during my year as council president." The new format didn't sit well with resident George Scott, a regular meeting attendee. "I don't agree with you about the dog and pony show," he said at the Jan. 16 council meeting. "I've never done that. I've questioned specifically about dollars and cents issues. I never hung anybody out to dry. I really think you should be able to come up and ask questions while it goes on, before a vote is taken, in case there is input that might change somebody's mind as to the right thing or the wrong thing." Acropolis said that all of the resolutions are on the township Web site days before the meeting. "I think it does a disservice to any resident to get up at a meeting and asked for a detailed explanation," he said. "For us to give a thumbnail, minute-and-a-half explanation does you a disservice. Members of the public will always be able to ask questions about any newly added agenda items, he said. "I think free speech is great, if you can come up for five minutes," he said. "I just want to give everybody the opportunity to speak. Some people monopolize it for 20 or 30 minutes." Every item on the agenda at the Jan. 16 meeting was discussed a week ago at the council caucus meeting, Councilman Anthony Matthews said. "These aren't things that came up at the last minute," he said. "These aren't things that just got on the agenda today. They have been there for probably 10 days on our Web site, which gives everybody ample opportunity." "I don't think it's the right way to go," Scott said. "But you're in charge." Acropolis said this week extensive discussion about resolutions and ordinances takes place at the twice-a-month caucus meetings. Residents are given ample opportunity to ask questions at caucus meetings, he said. "I'm planning on allowing public comment at the caucus meetings, which is where the public comment should take place," Acropolis said. "If you ask a question about an ordinance or resolution, you deserve more than a one-and-a-half minute, two-minute response. I don't want to give you an answer off the cuff. Come to the caucus meetings, where we discuss resolutions in depth." Acropolis said he wants to avoid the sometimes ugly public sessions of the past. "Democracy is OK," he said. "But democracy is not yelling fire in a crowded theater. Let's bring civility back to the township of Brick. Democracy is not shouting down someone you disagree with." Acropolis also wants to set up a system where council members would have office hours in town hall several hours a week to meet with the public. "I'm going to give every council member an opportunity to sit there for one or two hours, so if members of the public want to sit and talk, they can," he said.