Vice Mayor Beckles: people do not attack you because of your personal matters, but instead because of the way you conduct yourself in the City Council. You shut people down and then go on tirades and kick people out when they don't agree with you. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. 

EVERYONE has a right to go up there and say what they want to say. You and the Mayor and don't let that happen!  It would much less disruptive if you and Gayle were to show some RESTRAINT and just say “Next speaker.” What happens is that you and the Mayor ENGAGE with the people, but what should happen is that you and the Mayor should hear people, and MOVE ON. Everyone knows what your views are, but WE have a RIGHT to have our opinions known also. We can state OUR opinions and ideas, just like you can.

The other problem is that while you and the Mayor are silencing people and VIOLATING OUR RIGHTS, you are doing whatever you want without bringing ANY decisions before the council OR getting anybody’s approval. Items are put on the City Council agenda without prior notice, and it looks like you just PICK AND CHOOSE the items YOU want to pass so they can get by without anyone noticing. It's NOT fair, and it's NOT democratic. Then, when people challenge you, you get angry and say it is because of PERSONAL MATTERS, when in reality it's because you KNOW you can't handle yourself in public.

THAT is why you get so angry with people. Vice Mayor Beckles: you want what you want, and we've SEEN what happens when people get in the way of that. When you don't, you turn around and have a MELTDOWN and make excuses for your bad behavior -- all the while sending out messages regarding love & peace. The disgraceful show the other night after a council meeting was just that “a temper tantrum”  just like a 3 year-old stomping their feet.  You say you were in tears—that is a bald faced LIE, you were MAD. YOU did not have to come out of that room and engage in that screaming match.

What we want is to be included. To be a part of the process, and NOT fear being silenced if we speak up. Is that too much to ask?

By: Bea Roberson, President, Richmond Neighborhood Coordinating Council