Aurora City Council Changes Rules and Kicks Member’s Baby Off Dais
In a move that has sparked controversy and much debate, the Aurora City Council has approved new rules banning infants from the dais during council meetings. The decision comes after Councilmember Alison Coombs' baby caused disruptions during meetings, leading to complaints from other council members.
While Coombs had already agreed to stop bringing her child to meetings voluntarily, the new rules aim to prevent similar situations in the future.
Not all council members supported the new regulations. Councilmember Stephanie Hancock expressed her disappointment with the need for such legislation, stating that it should be common sense not to bring a disruptive baby to the dais.
Councilmember Coombs tweeted about the criticism, unleashing a wave of support for the council member on social media. The thread on Twitter, now X, quickly turned into a conversation about the marginalization of working mothers.
Coombs has served on Aurora City Council since 2019 and was the first openly LGBTQ+ person elected to council in the city's history.
According to Council minutes, Coombs' baby's antics included flying tissue boxes and even pouring water on councilmember Angela Lawson.
These disruptions led to a member of the public expressing dissatisfaction with Coombs bringing her baby to virtual meetings two years ago. The public member sent Coombs a message, suggesting that she should have the baby in a carrier.
However, Coombs received an outpouring of support on social media after she tweeted about the criticism. Many individuals highlighted the importance of acknowledging and accommodating the presence of babies in the workplace, emphasizing the challenges faced by working mothers. The conversation on Twitter quickly turned into a discussion about the marginalization of working mothers and the need for understanding and support.
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While some argue that bringing babies to the workplace can be distracting or unprofessional, numerous examples were shared on Twitter to counter these claims. People shared personal stories of bringing their own babies to work and how it was a positive experience for both them and those around them.
Former Boulder Mayor Will Toor, for instance, mentioned how he attended meetings with his newborn son in a baby carrier, which he believes made the meetings more enjoyable for everyone.
Hummmmmm.
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