Former St. Augustine Beach Mayor Sherman Gary Snodgrass on Civility

Update 10 PM, November 4, 2019: St. Augustine Beach consideration of the Sanibel, Florida "civility" policy is dead. Deader than Kelsey's Nuts. Or as the coroner in Wizard of Oz would say, I pronounce igt "not only merely dead, [but] really most sincerely dead." Thanks to the City of St. Augustine Mayor, Commissioners and in-house and outside insurance counsel for coming to their senses. It takes a village.

No thanks to City "Manager" BRUCE MAX ROYLE, who had nothing to contribute all night, and who fell asleep at the dais at least once. It's time for him to go. Now.


A letter to the Editor of the St. Augustine Record from 2017 by St. Augustine Beach Commissioner and Mayor Sherman Gary Snodgrss puts into sharp response the Draconian, unconstitutional 2007 Sanibel, Florida "Civility Rules" floated by current St. Augustine Beach Mayor Undine Celeste Pawloski George:

Dear Editor:
This is in response to Mr. Cottrell’s recent editorial about government legislating manners.
What is civility and why is it important in public discourse? Civility is the way we treat each other. It is treating one another with respect even when we disagree. Freedom of expression versus respect for fellow participants in the democratic process presents an interesting conundrum. Should we not strive, though, for both? Why should freedom of speech and civility be mutually exclusive?
I value freedom of speech. I support it. I encourage it. I desire robust discussion of issues about the health, safety, and welfare of our citizens. Commission meetings are held for conducting city business. Reasonable rules of decorum which promote freedom of speech and civility should guide the conduct of the meetings to ensure we carry out efficiently and effectively the business of our citizens.
Tensions can run high on local issues but lately it seems that the state of public discourse has reached a sad low. All of us, including City Commissioners, have the responsibility of listening to others respectfully, exercising self-control, considering all viewpoints, focusing on the issues, and avoiding personalization of the debate. I challenge commissioners and citizens alike to pursue these goals.
I doubt civility can be regulated but perhaps it can be inspired by adopting common-sense meeting rules which are consistent with the United States Constitution. In the end, can civility be legislated? Maybe not. According to Aristotle, virtuous behavior must be voluntary and civility is a form of virtuous behavior. But shouldn’t we aspire to achieve both free expression and civility?

S. Gary Snodgrass
City Commissioner – City of St. Augustine Beach, FL