Only residents of the city of Patterson can be heard during citizen comment time at city council meetings.
Mayor Dedi Thomas made that announcement as the Patterson City Council meeting last Thursday night.
The mayor made the statement as he refused to hear comments from Ala Mae Myles during the meeting. Myles lives outside the city limits on the Walkerville Road, but has been a frequent visitor and regular commentator during citizen comment time over the last few years.
Myles explained she was speaking for her mother, who does live in the city. The mayor insisted only Patterson residents could be heard during public comments. He told Myles if she wanted to speak at council meetings in the future, she would have to get on the agenda.
Resident Myra Vanessa James said Myles wanted to discuss the guard rail at the drainage ditch on Tyre Bridge Road. James again asked the council why more wasn’t being done to address speeding and illegal turns on Tyre Bridge Road.
“I complain about this all the time and y’all just sit on your hands.”
Shaunte’ Sharpe had planned to speak, but said she was going to sit down since Thomas was “so rude.”
