US /

After Resident Calls Him a Jerk, Mayor Bans Questions

Evesham's Randy Brown won't allow them at council meetings
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Mar 3, 2015 5:00 PM CST
After Resident Calls Him a Jerk, Mayor Bans Questions
   (Shutterstock)

A little too thin-skinned? A New Jersey mayor has banned the public from asking questions at township council meetings. The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that Evesham Mayor Randy Brown began the policy this year after a tense meeting in December in which a resident asked about a tax abatement. Brown spoke over the question, and the questioner, 81-year-old Kenneth Mills, told him, "You're acting like a jerk" as he sat down. Since then, the council has allowed only public comments, not questions, at meetings.

The Republican mayor, who has said he may run for governor in 2017, tells the Inquirer that most residents ask him questions in other settings. He says those who have questions at public meetings "try to turn it into the Spanish Inquisition." Brown is not only a politician, he's also got a sports career that you'd think might make him more accepting of scrutiny: He's the kicking coach for the Baltimore Ravens. (More mayor stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X