Freeport enacts rules on recordings

Freeport's board of trustees enacted rules Monday night that prevent the village from editing televised recordings of local government meetings, after trustees and some residents claimed Mayor Andrew Hardwick orders the tapes edited to show him in a positive light.

Hardwick adamantly denies the charge.

The new rules only allow editing for offensive language. The rules were approved by a vote of 3-1, with Hardwick dissenting; trustee William White was not present.

"All we're asking for is rules and regulations," said trustee Jorge Martinez.

Hardwick said he hopes an ongoing civil suit over the enactment of the rules, brought by the trustees last month in state Supreme Court in Mineola against the mayor, will determine that they are unconstitutional. The case is in court June 21.

Hardwick said the rules are wrongheaded because they state that community events cannot be recorded and shown on television without approval of the trustees. The clause is also unconstitutional because it limits free speech, he said.

Hardwick also said the rules were unnecessary because, he said, the tapes already air without editing.

"It's about freedom of speech. I'm not going to give that up," Hardwick said.

Speakers at trustees meeting were divided between those who supported the rules and those who thought the measure was an attempt by the trustees to gain control of the village tapes.