A primer: How To and How Not To. Giving proper public comment at the Lake Worth City Commission.

It is worth noting that public comment at Lake Worth City Hall has improved dramatically over the last several years and that’s possibly because of Mr. Ryan Hartman’s dreadful performance in City Hall (see video below). It was a reminder to everyone — including City officials — that the rules at public comment are the rules and they need to be followed.

Proper public comment requires the public remain civil, behave themselves, and respect the Chair at public meetings and not get silly, ramble on repeating yourself or make Commissioner Scott Maxwell say, “Is there a doctor in the house?” or get all conspiratorial about the government, “forcibly medicating an entire population”.

And remember, this is very important. You are NOT REQUIRED to use all the time allotted you. If you’ve made your point it’s perfectly OK to smile, say “Thank You” to the Chair, then return to your seat giving way to the next person waiting in line.

Public comment is very easy to do. And you are
not required to complain! 

It’s actually permissible to say good things or maybe even express how grateful you are for something the City did or did not do.

When you approach the podium Mayor Pam Triolo (the “Chair”) will acknowledge you and then the timer will start. Depending on the portion of the agenda you will have either two or three minutes. The reason for that is explained further below.

At the time limit a little bell will sound indicating your time is up. When you hear the bell conclude your remarks, smile to the Chair, say “Thank You” and then return to your seat.


Tip #1: Did not have time to finish your public comment? Then hand your comment card to City Manager Michael Bornstein and he will have it entered into the record.


It is required that all comments MUST be directed to the “Chair” of the meeting which will be Mayor Pam Triolo at the City Commission who is tasked with this essential duty. Do not address anyone but the Chair and that includes not to direct any comments or questions to a City commissioner, the city manager, staff, or anyone from the public.


Tip #2: Once you’ve made your point at public comment don’t go on and on repeating yourself. You don’t have to keep on talking until the little bell rings.

How to give public comment
and two instructional YouTube
videos are below.

One video is HOW TO give public comment as demonstrated by Catherine Turk. Note that Turk has since become a member of the City’s Planning & Zoning (P&Z) Board and has become a candidate in the District 2 race, the election to be held on March 12th, 2019.

The other video is of Mr. Ryan Hartman from 2016, an excellent example HOW NOT TO give public comment.


Tip #3: The time limit for public comment at the City Commission is two (2) minutes. The exception is “nonagendaed items”, which is a three-minute limit.


For a bit of historical context, it was whilst Jeff Clemens was mayor that some former commissioners, including Cara Jennings, pushed for lowering the time limit from three minutes to two minutes at the City Commission. In early 2017 the Commission raised the time limit for public comment on “nonagendaed items” back to three minutes so consider this a test!

If the civil and polite behavior by the public at City Commission meetings continues to go well, then possibly the time limit will be raised once again to three minutes for all items on the Commission agenda.

But only if . . . once again:

• The public is civil, behave properly, and respect the Chair at public meetings.
• Don’t get silly or ramble on repeating the same thing over and over and over again.
• You are NOT REQUIRED to use all the time allotted you.

“Show me. How do I give
public comment?”

Below are two instructional video examples of public comment. This first one is uncivil and un-charming public comment by Ryan Hartman followed by civil and respectful public comment by Catherine Turk (the second video).

Watch this video for
HOW NOT TO give public comment:

Now for an example of civil and
respectful public comment.

Below is another video, an excellent example how to give public comment at a City Commission meeting from January 2017. Note how Catherine Turk approached issues of importance to her.

Read the bullet list and then watch
the video for yourself:

• At the 10:50 mark (click play and go to the minute marks). Turk begins her comment at this City Commission meeting.
• At the 11:50 mark she begins speaking about the issue of unanswered emails and phone calls.
• At the 12:50 mark about the pay increase for elected officials, she says, “. . . the pay is well worth the hours you put in.” She should know having 25 years of experience in Human Resources.

Hope you find this video helpful.

Click play and fast forward to the 11:00 minute mark:

Final tip: It’s always a good idea to prepare your remarks ahead of time and use a timer to make certain you will stay within the time limit for public comment.

And always keep in mind: Be respectful and polite to the Chair!