Public comment is making the news in the north county following concerns in both the town of Arkwright and the village of Fredonia. Within the last month, the municipalities — for better or worse — have addressed the issue.

Fredonia took the most drastic step. For at least three months, trustees and Mayor Michael Ferguson have said they will still allow comment through written statements, but no longer for speakers in a 3-2 vote Monday.

“Our thin skinned mayor doesn’t like being corrected, fact checked or criticized for his missteps. He especially does not like being criticized for his lack of transparency by his board majority and his restriction of free speech,” wrote Andrew Ludwig in a letter read at the meeting.

In Arkwright, Supervisor Brian McAvoy took a similar approach after a controversial issue involving the highway superintendent position.

McAvoy said public comments are a privilege the Town Board is not obliged to provide. “You have a right to be here, a right to observe, but we don’t have to give you the time to speak,” he said. “We will, because it’s the right thing to do … but from now on, when we have a large crowd, we’re going to do it the way other places do.”

That means setting a timer — and limiting the speaker. That rule is followed by other bodies, including the Chautauqua County Legislature.

What is unfortunate in both cases is decisions are being made due to what is considered a lack of respect — on both sides. Residents want a say — and sometimes become too passionate — while elected officials do not appreciate the tones.

To be fair, that’s America at the moment. Due in part to social media, dialogue has become more aggressive.

That demeanor has spilled into local government — and brought this quagmire.