Steve McQueen, one of the organizers of the Quincy Tea Party effort, requested to speak on the recently approved $31.2 million budget and water and sewer rate increases.
When it came time to vote to open the floor to allow the speaker, a mixed voice vote took place. A roll call vote ensued and the seven Democrats denied McQueen's opportunity to speak while six Republicans voted to allow him to speak.
Alderman Mike Rein (R-5th Ward) was absent.
Alderman Mike Farha (R-4th Ward) said he had never seen anyone denied the right to speak in his 10 years on the council and called the vote "outrageous."
Farha spoke up after the vote, saying "We have never not allowed a member of the public to address this party."
Alderman Steve Duesterhaus (D-2nd Ward) countered by saying "A point of order here. This is an incidental motion and is not subject to debate." Mayor John Spring agreed and Farha finished with "I just want my objection noted for the record."
Duesterhaus (D-2nd Ward) said there had been ample opportunity to comment on the budget and the water and sewer increases before last week's votes had taken place.
"We had a public hearing on the budget," Duesterhaus said. "We had an unofficial hearing on the budget where the department heads talked about the budget. It had three readings at three meetings. We had three readings on the water and sewer rates. Anybody could have commented on them. They passed and now we're looking forward, not looking back."
McQueen was "dumbfounded."
"Freedom of speech was not the issue I came to talk about, but it is the issue I left with," he said. "I cannot believe what took place here tonight. This solidifies my beliefs."
Before the meeting, Mayor John Spring was sworn in along with four aldermen who were re-elected on April 7 and the two newly elected aldermen, Kyle Moore (R-3rd Ward) and Dan Brink (R-6th Ward).
In other action, Aldermen approved:
*A two-year contract for the Quincy Police Department to use of STARCOM 21 radios to communicate with the Illinois State Police.
*$405,577.35 on replacement water meters from Badger Meter Company of Milwaukee, Wis.
*$6,013.53 to the Illinois EPA for mandatory testing under the Safe Drinking Water Act.
*$5,625 for QPD firearms training through PASA Park Inc.
*$5,700 for police training with West Central Illinois Criminal Justice Council