Great Falls Tribune (The Edge)

Number of the week: 5 minutes

Stu Nicholson, a retired D.A. Davidson executive, took to the lectern during a public comment period at the last Great Falls City Commission meeting to, among other things, compliment the Lions Family Fun Day July 11 — about 475 people attended.

As he finished up, he took a slap at other folks who've spoken during previous public comment periods.

Nicholson said he believes commissioners and staff are "doing a great job" and don't deserve the confrontational insults tossed at them by some speakers.

"I say enough is enough," Nicholson said, as a five-minute limit on speaking counted down. "These comments are not positive for the city of Great Falls."

Unfortunately, Nicholson went over the time limit as he urged the mayor to use her gavel to end any misbehavior at the public podium. Mayor Dona Stebbins had difficulty getting words in edgewise as Nicholson continued.

His violation of the five-minute rule wasn't lost on a few in the sparse audience, who hollered at him that he was over the limit.

Stebbins gamely tried to get Nicholson to stop, but she also thanked him for the support.

Nicholson's talk prompted an angry retort from county resident Richard Liebert, chairman of the Citizens for Clean Energy steering committee, who often comments at city meetings.

"We have a right to free speech here," Liebert said. "I disagree with him vehemently. I resent that. I deeply resent that. I encourage more people to get up here and speak out.