The Lexington city council is suspending public comment as part of its remote meetings. During Tuesday’s virtual work session, two callers made vulgar and racist remarks. It was the second time this summer such calls occurred during a remote government meeting.
Prior to Thursday night’s regular business meeting, Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton said, for now, no more calls will be taken. The mayor said such an open microphone for the public is not required. “It is something we have always wanted to do to ensure transparency and to have an opportunity to hear from all of our citizens. But, that doesn’t mean that we will listen to people who engage in hate speech,” said Gorton.
Gorton said an effort is underway to find technologies and other ways to bring it back safely. The mayor says she and all council members have email addresses which can be found at the government website. The council Thursday night gave first reading approval to the renaming of Cheapside Park, once home to the selling of slaves, to become the Henry Tandy Centennial Park. Tandy was a freed slave who became a prominent businessman in masonry work.
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