Finding Time to Do the People’s Business

There is a glaring omission in “Freedom’s Test, or Just a Pest?” (Sept. 24). As our population has grown, law and regulation have grown -- exponentially, not arithmetically. This has created a demand on decision-makers far exceeding their individual or group capacity at all levels of government. So, when the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors cuts off a speaker, the reason might be less the irritation than making the best use of scarce time to attend to the people’s business. For those boards that permit speakers to speak at length, the question must be asked as to when, if at all, there is time to do the people’s business.

Yet this conundrum has a solution. Each neighborhood council that L.A. city voters have approved can set up a sounding board, perhaps a special meeting once a month, which will give speakers an outlet to be heard and recorded.

Van Ajemian

Los Angeles