Should you clap at government meetings?

From the Rio Rancho Observer - When is it OK to clap at a city council meeting? That’s what a couple of residents wanted to know at Wednesday night’s Rio Rancho Governing Body meeting. Their comments came after Mayor Tom Swisstack said near the beginning of the meeting that he does not want clapping at council meetings. Swisstack made reference to the March 14 Governing Body meeting, at which several audience members broke out in spontaneous applause after a resident questioned why only one councilor attended the swearing-in ceremony of new Councilor Chuck Wilkins. After the applause at the March 14 meeting, Swisstack cautioned the audience not to clap before they know the facts — that is, in his case at least, that he called Wilkins in advance of his swearing-in to tell him the mayor had another commitment that night. “Let me clear something up,” Swisstack said at Wednesday night’s Governing Body meeting. “I don’t allow clapping. I’m trying to maintain some sense of order. This is not a circus.” Read more 

Should you clap at government meetings?