The public should be given the maximum opportunities to make public comments at any gathering of the borough assembly. Written comments can be read by the city clerk, when requested, and the writer cannot be present. This has happened often in the 43 years we have observed gatherings of both the city council and now the assembly.

Members of the assembly and other administration staff have read comments when the clerk needed a break. What's wrong with that?

Given that assembly meetings rotate from evening meetings to noon meetings alone, should dictate the need exist to have a person's writt...