Village of Fredonia Considers Suspending Public Comment After Recent 'Scuffle'

The Village of Fredonia is moving to suspend the public comment portion of its regular Board of Trustees meetings in the wake of a "scuffle" that occurred after last week's meeting. Trustees discussed that incident during a Village Board workshop on Monday. Jon Espersen, who requested the measure, said that residents were threatened and also indicated that at least one trustee was "coming to the point of tears." Espersen says he made his request due to public safety concerns...

Jon Espersen: that scares me

LeeAnn Lazarony also noted there was "pushing and shoving." Christine Cruz-Keefe said a group of high school students who attended last week's meeting were "bewildered" by what they witnessed...

Christine Cruz-Keefe: they became freightened

However, Cruz-Keefe said she would not favor suspending public comments. Mayor Mike Ferguson, who was a call-in guest on WDOE's "Viewpoint" program on Tuesday, says the actions were not done by people "speaking their piece"...

Mike Ferguson: people unfairly criticizing administration

This marked the second time in as many Village Board meetings in which the village's Police Department was called to the trustees' room.

Click here to listen to the entire "Viewpoint" interview with Mayor Mike Ferguson.

Image, Jon Espersen and Christine Cruz-Keefe audio from Fredonia Access