Opinion – with a few facts sprinkled in
As was the case in recent years with the Democratic Committee of Lower Merion Narberth (DCLMN), The Pennsylvania State Republican Committee decided that is was not in the best interest of the public (could there be any other reason?) to allow any members of the press to observe and/or record their endorsement meeting this weekend.
Not only is the state GOP meeting closed, I was just told by Jimmy Zumba from the state party I as a member of the press was not allowed in the entire hotel. Hmmm - even some of the candidates were befuddled by the secrecy pic.twitter.com/zrH6mUBRzM
— Jan Murphy (@JanMurphy) February 5, 2022
In March of 2017, I showed up at Borough Hall, in Narberth (it’s upstairs from the firehouse) – video camera and tripod in-tow, thinking that I would record the DCLMN candidates’ forum. But I was “advised” that electronic recording of that event was not permitted.
Aside from questioning why it would be harmful to members of the community to see a recording of the forum, I also had some doubts about the legality of the camera ban. I decided to consult with some constitutional experts, and they told me that the committee’s ability to deny the use of recording equipment at their meetings, probably hinged on whether or not the committee paid Narberth Borough a fair market rental fee for the use of the space.
So, I sent an email to then Narberth Mayor Tom Grady, asking whether or not the committee paid the borough a fair-market rental fee for the space – or any rental fee at all.
His response was –
I have been advised by the Borough Manager, Sean Metrick, that Narberth does not charge for the use of any rooms to the LMNDC.
It is my position that any and all video and audio recordings are permitted on Borough property, including Borough Hall, and the Narberth Police will not intervene.
Thank you,
Mayor Tom Grady
As a result of Mayor Grady’s decision, you are able to watch this recording, which documents the DCLMN’s 2017 Endorsement Meeting.
WARNING – this video shows graphic depictions of civil discourse being used by citizens to express disagreement with each other.
In November of 2017, Andrea Deutsch was elected Mayor of Narberth.
Before the 2019 Endorsement meeting, I reached out to her to see if she was in agreement with Mayor Grady’s policy of not enforcing a recording ban. This was her reply –
Thank you for your inquiry. While this is not really the call of the Mayor, it is my opinion that in the absence of formal policies set forth by Borough Council on the use of video or recording devices on Borough property, the group running the meeting has the right to state the rules regarding use of such devices at their meetings. Should you believe that the Borough should implement such policies, you may send your request to Borough Council.
Thanks,
Andrea Deutsch
So that is why I can’t show you a video of the 2019 endorsement meeting.
Then in 2021, without explanation, DCLMN leadership decided that the public would not be harmed if they had access to a recording of the committee’s endorsement meeting.
Here then, is the whole (three hours and change) un-sliced, un-diced, un-edited, un-expurgated video
Let’s hope that the Committee’s 2017 and 2021 recording policies will be the rule, that the 2019 policy will go down as a misguided outlier – and that in the future, DCLMN will not just allow, but will encourage the full video recording of their endorsement meetings.