Chenango County Board Chairman George Seneck

NORWICH - Sitting members of the county’s safety and rules committee are considering a draft resolution encouraging civility in the face of a movement of individuals displaying vulgar political flags and signage throughout the region.

Committee officials discussed the issue at length during their monthly meeting Wednesday, some arguing the county should take a symbolic gesture of favoring civil discourse while skirting action that infringes first amendment rights.

Officials ended the meeting with a decision to move ahead with a draft resolution, although still weighing the aftermath of such a decree and how it might be perceived by the public.

The committee refrained from the hot-button debate last month, saying they believe profane flags targeting Democratic politicians, namely President Joe Biden and Gov. Andrew Cuomo, falls under the First Amendment’s purview of freedom of speech and that any action taken to discourage even profane speech would be overstepping their authority.

Yet committee members are taking another look at that decision, arguing that while they can’t do anything about vulgar signage, a resolution promoting gentility would reflect their take on how local government should operate.

The issue was first brought to the committee’s attention in June by a letter sent from businessman Mark Golden, owner of Golden Artist Colors in New Berlin. In his letter, Golden stated his want for a resolution that encourages civility, especially when popular political signs using the “F-word” can be seen publicly.