February 19, 2023
By: Trudee Ruffridge
The Pocatello City Council met on Thursday night for its regular business meeting. The audience included a group of local residents who hoped to address the council about library books they consider pornographic, as well as some who planned to testify about the Councils proposed budget amendments.
Per the published agenda, the Council only planned to allow public comments regarding proposed Fiscal Year 2023 Budget amendments. A few people spoke, addressing every item on the amendment list. When the Council voted on the amendments, there was no dissent, and no “nay” votes on any item.
The City Council meeting adjourned after approximately forty minutes. At this point, one audience member, Elijah Whitecar, stood up and addressed the Council. Mr. Whitecar was very specific in his opening comment, asking why citizens could not ask questions freely in an open forum. “Why are you running from us?” he asked Mayor Blad, who was the first one out of the chambers. As Blad exited, he said, “Make an appointment and I’d be happy to talk to you”.
Mr. Whitecar and others then addressed Council Member Linda Leeuwrik, telling her that as she is on the Library Board, she should know what’s in the library. He spoke about the pornographic materials available for our children. He then said, “Obviously the troubles to our children aren’t worth your time and are an annoyance. You shake your head like you don’t care”. Another attendee had a sign that had several pictures from the books that our children are reading, and said as much to Leeuwrik as she exited the chambers.
At this point, Brent Nichols and Scott Marchand were the only councilmen remaining. Councilman Marchand was asked to bring back Mayor Blad to the chambers, which he refused to do because Blad had asked those who wanted to talk to him to make an appointment. The audience then told Marchand that they wanted to address Blad in a public forum, not privately.
The meeting concluded with no commitment from the city to provide the citizens with the public forum they requested.
