Sossi and Martinez Effectively Kill Public Comment

     Do you remember City Attorney Mark Sossi's lame powerpoint presentation in opposition to the broadcast of public comment?  He theorized at the time that since the original ban was initiated during Mayor Ahumada's administration, the "diversity" of commenters had actually increased.  Of course, he didn't mention in his wierd adversarial, anti-first amendment sermon that it was his petulant hissy fit that triggered the free speech ban in the first place.  Mayor Martinez also spoke against the action item introduced by Commissioner Zamora, saying " "I'd like to continue doing things the way the previous administration did them.  It's been working pretty good so far.  I don't want to change that."   Two lawyers who should know better show zero respect for the first amendment.
     What about the Sossi theory that the banning of the broadcast actually enhances that segment of the public meeting, adding diversity to the speakers?  He's simply wrong.  While in the past, potential commenters lined up in front of City Secretary Estela Von Hatten's desk to get one of the five prized allotted spots, the last two city commission meetings have had only a single commenter.