Letter to the editor: Context matters
Editor's note: Letters to the editor represent the opinions of their authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Wiley Post. Letters may be edited for length, clarity, accuracy and adherence to our editorial standards.
Editor's note: This letter was submitted in response to a Facebook post by Ward 3 City Council candidate Josh Lock criticizing Resolution 3736, which changed the rules governing public comment at Bartlesville City Council meetings. In the post, Lock called the resolution the "Bartian Muzzling Act of 2025" and argued that requiring citizens to have an issue placed on the council agenda before addressing the council improperly restricts public input. Lock also cited his previous comments to the council about license plate reader cameras and the former city manager's severance agreement as examples of issues he believes the rules could prevent residents from raising directly.
Lock's original Facebook post is embedded below.
Letter to Editor
Sept 29, 2026
I LOVE context. It can make all the difference, can’t it?
Things started to get wild at Bartlesville’s City Council meetings back in 2023 when one woman shouted “Heil Hitler” and did the Nazi salute. The council let her.
I remember in 2024 when everyone was fighting over the drag show at Unity Square. Hundreds of people from other towns, other counties, and other states showed up in Bartlesville to protest. Dozens and dozens wanted to make their opinions heard at the meeting of the city council. They came to tell Bartians how to run our own town, even though they had no connection whatsoever to Bartlesville. One would assume that this context explains why the new rules were necessary, but no. The out-of-towners were allowed to make speeches, scream, and call Bartians backward biggots.
Mayor Curd and Vice Mayor Dorsey were on the council back then. They listened. They did not try to prevent people from speaking.
Then in the last few months of 2024, things really began to change.
A group of Bartians were excited that they had gotten one of their own elected to the city council, and they desperately wanted him to be mayor.
They came and made speeches. Lots and lots of speeches.
But the vote did not go the way they wanted. Tim Sherrick was not elected Mayor. The council decided that making someone with absolutely no city council experience the mayor was a bad idea.
The group was FURIOUS.
Members of the group screamed “COMMUNISTS!” A religious slur was screamed.
From then on, the group seemed to decide that if they didn’t get their way, then everyone would pay the price.
They began using the Citizens to be Heard portion of the meetings as a WEAPON.
Rather than calm, professional business meetings, the city council meetings became CHAOS. Members of this group screamed about wild conspiracy theories. One woman got up to read a long passage of scripture, but replaced the name “God” with “Donald Trump.”
It became clear to everyone in attendance that this group was likely coordinating the chaos intentionally. They were determined to PUNISH the city council because they DID NOT GET THEIR WAY.
And you, Josh, were among those at the microphone, as you are a part of that group. The official treasurer, in fact. You thought it was appropriate to scream at police officers because you DID NOT GET YOUR WAY about something.
You see, that’s not how government works. Our elected council doesn’t just DO AS THEY’RE TOLD by whomever screams the loudest and longest. Sometimes the group that is screaming is actually a minority. The majority just know how to behave in society and aren’t ranting to get attention.
I used to bring my children to city council meetings. I no longer can, as I do not want them being exposed to the way members of this group behave.
I have a friend who used to bring her scout troop to city council meetings to learn about government. She told me that she can no longer bring them in good conscience.
Context matters. When Josh goes door to door telling people about these “draconian” rules, he is LEAVING OUT THE CONTEXT.
It would be more honest for him to tell his neighbors, “My friends and I are no longer allowed to speak about whatever we want for as long as we want. WE WANT OUR WEAPON BACK.”
Lauren Candy Kirkpatrick
Facebook post by Ward 3 City Council candidate Josh Lock
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