ACLU criticizes limit on public comment

New Berlin — The American Civil Liberties Union of Wisconsin has chided the New Berlin Plan Commission for its recent decision to limit public comment at its meetings to New Berlin residents and landowners.

The June 29 decision came as the city and the Plan Commission were in the throes of a controversial request to build workforce housing in the New Berlin City Center. The commission finally rejected the plan.

A letter from Christopher Ahmuty, ACLU of Wisconsin executive director, says the timing and content of the public input limit "suggest it was enacted to suppress or limit speech from a viewpoint with which some New Berlin residents and officials disagreed."

The letter was sent to Mayor Jack Chiovatero, who is Plan Commission chairman, and to the Plan Commission members.

The mayor's office had no comment on the ACLU letter, which calls for a Plan Commission response. City Attorney Mark Blum is out of town.

Asked if the next step might be filing a lawsuit against the city, Karyn Rotker, ACLU of Wisconsin senior staff attorney, said it's too early to talk about that.

"We hope that New Berlin will do the right thing," she said Monday.

The Plan Commission could control debate by limiting speaking time, the letter said, but it should not limit who can speak.

The letter cites various court cases emphasizing the importance of unfettered public debate.

- Jane Ford-Stewart