FLINT – The clock is ticking on people who have something to say at Flint City Council meetings.
Anyone with a beef or praise will have three minutes near the end of meetings – not before council members consider issues on the agenda.
Emergency Manager Darnell Earley says it gives people an opportunity to talk without being burdened by long-winded speakers. But council member Eric Mays says he has no objection to listening to people who need more than three minutes.
Mays tells The Flint Journal that residents "have the right to chime in," especially before the council votes.
In March, the emergency manager signed an order limiting council members to five minutes each to speak at the end of meetings.