South Bend City Council members order themselves to pay attention:
The controversial bill prohibiting the use of cell phones and other electronic devices by Common Council members, all city boards and commissions while a meeting is in progress passed 8-1.
[. . .]
Several community members spoke in favor of the bill, including John Hamilton of the 2nd District. Hamilton spoke passionately about what he calls an “unfortunate necessity.”
“If you're texting to or from, you can't do the business at hand,” he said. “The public deserves each member's absolute attention to the matter at hand.”
The measure was apparently aimed at council member Henry Davis Jr., the only one who has been texting and posting to social media during meetings. He said he felt this was "a personal attack against me" but voted in favor of the bill anyway.
I dunno. I've been to a lot of council meetings here and elsewhere, and I'm not sure having them all pay attention is that hot an idea.
