After the American Civil Liberties Union of Delaware complained that an anti-criticism policy for speakers at Sussex County Council meetings violated the law, the council will discuss a possible change to those rules next week.
The county's legal staff has been reviewing the policy -- which bars speakers from personally criticizing county officials -- and a possible draft change may be presented at Tuesday's council meeting, county spokesman Chip Guy said Wednesday.
The ACLU contends the policy, adopted in 2009, is unconstitutional because it discriminates against certain viewpoints. In a letter last month, the organization cited a 2005 federal court ruling in New Jersey that struck down a school board rule barring statements that were "personally directed."
The policy sets time limits for speakers during the "additional business" portion of the weekly meetings, requires residents to speak about county business and bars criticism related to personnel decisions or "matters ... that are personal in nature." It does not bar residents from criticizing county decisions or council members' actions.
The council meeting is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. at the County Administration Building on The Circle in Georgetown.
Does that mean everyone who got the gavel from Louise Smith and Mike Dunn can go sue them now?
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