When an elected official believes public property is his personal fiefdom and the people are mere petitioners before the throne, that’s not “governing”—that’s feudalism with a county logo slapped on it.”

Billy McCullers

OKEECHOBEE —  During a recent county commissioner meeting, the commissioners discussed a woman who has been putting up a tent outside the tax collector's office every week. The woman is collecting signatures for a petition involving the legalization of marijuana.  During the meeting, Commissioner Hazellief said he did not believe the county was required to let them put up a tent. The following remarks were made by Billy McCullers, who recently ran for a seat on the commission.

 Commissioner Hazelief says: “I don’t think we’re required to let them put a tent up.”

Here’s the problem, Commissioner—you don’t “let” the people exercise their rights. The Constitution already did that. You swore an oath to protect those rights, not ration them out like royal favors.

 

The First Amendment doesn’t come with a “Hazelief Permission Slip.” In Hague v. CIO, 307 U.S. 496 (1939), the Supreme Court held that public spaces like streets, parks—and yes, publicly accessible grounds—are held in trust for the people to assemble, speak, and petition. Government can impose reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions, but it cannot arbitrarily deny access because it dislikes the message or the method.

 

When an elected official believes public property is his personal fiefdom and the people are mere petitioners before the throne, that’s not “governing”—that’s feudalism with a county logo slapped on it.

 

And it’s weird—really weird—that we keep having to remind him of this. Almost as if he thinks he’s the king and we’re his subjects. Sorry, Commissioner, but in America the people are sovereign, and public officials are the hired help. If you can’t tell the difference, you might be in the wrong line of work.