I attended the June 25 hearing held by the local registrar to determine whether City Councilwoman Elect Alicia Hughes was an Alexandria resident from the period June 12 (date of the complaint challenging her residency) to June 25, the date of the hearing. Although, the hearing was somewhat informal and not held in a courtroom, it was still an official, public hearing. I was offended by grumblings and catcalls from Ms. Hughes’ supporters, who packed the room. One woman in the row directly behind me constantly commented out loud after everything the hearing officer, Tom Parkins said, and either made sanctimonious comments when Hughes’ attorney spoke, or made snide, loud comments when the opposing counsel, Mr. Hebert, spoke. At one point I even had to shush the woman so that I could hear the proceedings over her constant rantings. Such behavior would never have been allowed in a formal courtroom and should not have been tolerated in a public hearing. It showed a lack of decorum! and respect for the proceedings. I hope that in any further public hearings on this matter, the city sends a bailiff or assigns someone else to keep order.
