Paulding County rejects public comment limits

Data centers continue to be a hot topic. We just saw that during the election. The issue was not let up in Paulding County, where some residents believe an item on today's county commission agenda is designed to punish people fighting back against data centers. Fox News Kevin Stewart joins us live tonight. Explain that, Kevin. Yeah, you know, the measure would restrict public comment during county commission meetings. The county says it's about money. Taxpayers at that meeting today don't buy that. Sorry. And I have lived here since 1995. The idea of data centers, what could be lost, brings some people to tears in Paulding County. You may recall weeks of protests after the Paulding County Commission approved, without a public hearing, four overlay districts that would clear the way for data centers. The county backed down. Right now, there is a moratorium on data centers here until January. But the topic... I will not raise a child. In a place where a data center is 150 feet from my house. Keeps coming up at county commission meetings during public comments. And many of these taxpayers believe it is no coincidence that the county is proposing changes to public comment now. Cuts speaking time from five minutes to three minutes. Two, limits total public comment to 30 minutes. Six, limits residents to four speaking opportunities per year. For non-agenda items. I mean, that's just clear that they're changing it for this particular reason right now. County Chairman Tim Estes says the proposal is about saving money. Long meetings cost more money, taxpayer money, and time, he says, can be used more efficiently. My time was restricted just as much as theirs. I don't know. It's a two-way street on everything. The commission voted down the measure, but we listened to him. We want to do what's best for the for the people of Paulding County. As for the moratorium, expect that to heat up once again next month. We're live in Dallas, Paulding County. Kevin Stewart, Fox 5 News. Tempers flaring there. Kevin, thanks.