I am writing in response to published comments from Jeremy Morrison and Hannah Sorila which relate to the Brattleboro Acceptable Community Conduct Ordinance.
First, I am not a resident of Brattleboro but a frequent visitor since the mid 1970s, so I have seen many “flavors” of the town over that time period. I am wondering what the big deal is about the Acceptable Community Conduct Ordinance. These types of ordinances and policies are part of everyone’s life.
I have never worked for an employer that didn’t have an employee policy manual that didn’t clearly define unacceptable conduct including things like sexual harassment, bullying, dress codes, etc. As a matter of fact an employer that doesn’t clearly define acceptable employee conduct exposes themselves to expensive litigation on numerous issues of conduct.
My community hospital (home to my personal care physician) has a patient conduct policy clearly posted at entry points and throughout the building. It states “aggressive behavior will not be tolerated” and then states that service can be denied and the person banned from care for unacceptable conduct.
I also notice that Grace Cottage Hospital where Mr. Morrison works has a code of conduct that prohibits some of the same behaviours as the Brattleboro ordinance. It should be noted that hospitals as well as all employers have a duty to protect its employees from such conduct.
Heck, when I go to see a movie at the Latchis there is a reminder of acceptable conduct before the movie starts. Probably the most obvious standard of community conduct are the “no smoking” laws, ordinances and policies. We as a society have said smoking is unacceptable in many situations — in restaurants, public and private buildings, and in many public and private outdoor places. The idea that an addiction to nicotine is an excuse to allow smoking in certain places is thoroughly rejected by society. There are no “low-barrier” restaurants for those with nicotine addictions.
“Section 13-420. Prohibited Behaviors” in the ordinance speaks to those conducts that are prohibited. What are the specific behaviors that Jeremy Morrison and Hannah Sorila object to? Public urination and defecation? Engaging in sexual conduct or lewd behavior? Being publicly intoxicated? Directing a specific threat of physical harm against an individual or group of individuals?
If you want to quibble about this or that, fine, but I see no reason that Brattleboro can’t choose to define what is and what isn’t acceptable public conduct and behavior on its streets.
Respectfully,
Mickey Nowak
Wardsboro
