For months I have heard rumors that a few members of Bethlehem’s seven-member city council have special code words they use to ridicule residents who regularly attend council meetings.

‘The same 10 people,’ or ‘STP,’ is a designation apparently reserved for those who care about the city enough that they make the effort to attend these meetings regularly and participate in ‘public comment’ if they have an opinion to voice.

The rumor was confirmed for me when at a recent council meeting, I heard Council President Adam Waldron refer to the residents in the audience as “the same 10 people,” after the many golfers in attendance left town hall chambers.

How wrong-headed and childish can elected officials be?

Council members should be proud that the city has some residents who make time to attend their meetings. They should welcome input and other points of view. The frat-like, puerile use of derisive terminology for those whom council members should be respecting rather than reducing and dismissing, indicates that some council members feel threatened rather than supported by meeting attendees.

Perhaps the fact that many regulars are accomplished and intelligent and have a great deal of professional and life experience threatens some council members.

Maybe the threat comes because these regular, informed attendees generally counter political rhetoric with common sense and practical applications. Possibly, some council members feel threatened because these ‘same 10 people’ often challenge the status quo and demand accountability.

Our political system requires civic involvement to keep government and elected officials honest, productive and accountable for what they say and do, however, not every citizen has the time or inclination to break free from everyday life to attend nighttime meetings.

Residents who attend regularly make well thought out, very well-researched and sometimes critical remarks designed to encourage council members to think deeply about issues and perhaps rethink their positions.

These residents defend neighborhoods and advocate for a decent quality of life. They challenge the ways in which limited city funding is being used. They confront inaccuracies, demand enforcement of city ordinances, and they act as the eyes and ears for the many who don’t or can’t attend these meetings.

Despite being met with blank stares, frowns and often dismissive attitudes, these residents return meeting after meeting to play a role and state their viewpoints, in an effort to get their points across to elected officials in the city.

“The same 10 people?” Bethlehem is fortunate to have them, and so is council. They should be commended, not mocked, for the way they care about Bethlehem.

Perhaps voters need to rethink what kind of people they want to have in those elected council seats, so that when they attend a council meeting in the future, because of an issue that affects them directly, they can be assured that they will be respected and heard.

Dana Grubb

Bethlehem