Clackamas County Commission Chairman Lynn Peterson called the cops  gaveled down a man down and called off a meeting when a constituent at today’s meeting raised his voice spoke firmly while testifying. Another official pushed the panic button that called the cops.

When elected officials don’t listen to the people, the people become contemptuous of the process. Strangely, the people were not overtly contemptuous until Peterson tried to cut the man off. More:

It was at that point that a few voices in the audience said, “Let him talk. It’s his turn.”

I talked to Mac Woods who was testifying and on whom they called the cops. Here’s the Zero’s report of what happened which Woods confirms, 

Mac Woods, a Canby resident, had spent more than two of his three minutes of public testimony lambasting the commission on a proposed resolution asking for the federal government to clarify powers under the Clean Water Act.
Woods and others were upset because they felt the resolution would lead to more federal authority over their properties and waterways.
“What in the world is it that you don’t understand about your job and responsibility to the people of Clackamas County?” he asked. He then began to personally attack Commissioner Bob Austin, who presented the resolution, and Chairwoman Lynn Peterson intervened.
Woods then told Peterson, “Do not interrupt me. I have the floor.”
Peterson tried unsuccessfully to interject again moments later before saying, “Mac, you’re excused.”
That’s when audience members started yelling, and Peterson gaveled out of the meeting and walked out, followed by the three other commissioners in attendance.

Check here for the video.  It’s not coming up for me at the moment but after blowing it up on the program today, I can understand why there might be an eagerness for LOTS of people to see it.

Cops were also called to Lake Oswego meeting a week ago. Why? I think Craig has the answer:

The[y] are trying to  discredit the  people that disagree, by making them sound aggressive and kooky, that is the only way they think they can win.
They are scared of the petitions and are feeling the heat.
They do not like to lose their power, over their minions