Swearing In at ARC meetings

[jimhoward]

I submitted an ARC application to do some landscaping on my house. I read that you are encouraged to attend the ARC meeting at which your application is on the docket. So I did.

If you want to speak on behalf of your application, you must actually be sworn in. You have to raise your right hand and swear you are telling the truth, as if it were a court room and you are a witness giving testimony. I found that bizarre and had trouble maintaining decorum, but did manage to keep it together and not laugh or crack wise.

Speaking on behalf of your application, by the way, doesn't mean presenting it, it means answering questions or accepting corrections if you have made a mistake so they can approve it with stipulations. It is definitely a low stress process.

Does anyone know what the deal is with the swearing in business? Its not a court. You can't be prosecuted giving false testimony at an ARC meeting. It seems so out of place with the cooperative nature of the meeting. I didn't want to ask at the meeting why they do it. I just complied.

[Papa_lecki]

Does anyone know what the deal is with the swearing in business? Its not a court. You can't be prosecuted giving false testimony at an ARC meeting. It seems so out of place with the cooperative nature of the meeting. I didn't want to ask at the meeting why they do it. I just complied.

God forbid, you swore you were putting in blue hydrangeas, and you put in red ones.

[CarlR33]

Surprised you did not ask at the meeting. You could call one of your district reps they may know or email/call the ARC and ask that way.

[retiredguy123]

I would just point out that it is not much difference from swearing in at a court. People lie under oath all the time and they are rarely prosecuted. Have you ever watched a criminal court case? Also, you can be prosecuted if you commit fraud, whether you swear in or not. I don't know if the swearing in would help a fraud prosecution, but it couldn't hurt.

[Topspinmo]

Kangaroo court…:MOJE_whot:

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

You could always refuse to swear on religious grounds, and opt instead to use the word "affirm."

[MarshBendLover]

Good to know. I guess the next thing will be to have you turn in all electronic devices before going in the room, an "all rise" as the members enter and a Village Patrol person standing guard.

[Gunny2403]

So many words for what seems to be a non issue exception your mind.

[CybrSage]

I have no problem agreeing to be honest.

[SHIBUMI]

Went there 1 year ago and there was no swearing in! There was a pledge of allegiance which seemed weird enough. Third grade stuff. Is this a new thing?


I submitted an ARC application to do some landscaping on my house. I read that you are encouraged to attend the ARC meeting at which your application is on the docket. So I did.

If you want to speak on behalf of your application, you must actually be sworn in. You have to raise your right hand and swear you are telling the truth, as if it were a court room and you are a witness giving testimony. I found that bizarre and had trouble maintaining decorum, but did manage to keep it together and not laugh or crack wise.

Speaking on behalf of your application, by the way, doesn't mean presenting it, it means answering questions or accepting corrections if you have made a mistake so they can approve it with stipulations. It is definitely a low stress process.

Does anyone know what the deal is with the swearing in business? Its not a court. You can't be prosecuted giving false testimony at an ARC meeting. It seems so out of place with the cooperative nature of the meeting. I didn't want to ask at the meeting why they do it. I just complied.

[gorillarick]

wow, the stupid people get upset about

I'm sure there's a good reason for it.
If you don't like it, I'm sure your contractor would be glad to handle it for you.
And yes, I do think it would be nice for a contractor to swear or affirm and confirm that this is what I'm gonna do, and for the price quoted.

[Papa_lecki]

Went there 1 year ago and there was no swearing in! There was a pledge of allegiance which seemed weird enough. Third grade stuff. Is this a new thing?

Why is a pledge of allegiance at a public community meeting weird?

[Remembergoldenrule]

You could always refuse to swear on religious grounds, and opt instead to use the word "affirm."

They actually say I swear or affirm when reading the statement. They are just making you say you aren’t lying on the application. I guess it really matters if they approve an addition then it turns out it is really on the right away.

[Remembergoldenrule]

Why is a pledge of allegiance at a public community meeting weird?
Because this is America and most people are proud of our country. There was a lady from another country complaining on social media and news agencies that we fly too many flags in our country. No one was made to stand or recite the pledge.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Why is a pledge of allegiance at a public community meeting weird?

Personally I think it's a bit of overkill to recite the pledge more than once in your life. Are they worried that I might have changed my mind some time between the last time I said it a week ago, and today?

I pledged my allegiance in 1st grade. My allegiance hasn't changed since then. If it does, I'll move somewhere else, and then I'll make the pledge to the new country. Once.

I wouldn't mind if the pledge was to the Constitution, instead of to the flag, because cloth rips, fades, shreds, burns, rots - and words are forever.

[fdpaq0580]

Kangaroo court…:MOJE_whot:

Kangaroos get sworn in, too? What will they think of next? 🤔🤐

[fdpaq0580]

Because this is America and most people are proud of our country. There was a lady from another country complaining on social media and news agencies that we fly too many flags in our country. No one was made to stand or recite the pledge.

My teachers made me, before "under God" was added. I still leave that part out. My allegiance is to flag and to the country for which it stands as defined by the Constitution.

[fdpaq0580]

Why is a pledge of allegiance at a public community meeting weird?

Not appropriate because not everyone at a public community meeting may not all be Americans could be one reason.

[Topspinmo]

My teachers made me, before "under God" was added. I still leave that part out. My allegiance is to flag and to the country for which it stands as defined by the Constitution.


Under God don’t bother me, I’m not afraid of God. :highfive:

[fdpaq0580]

Under God don’t bother me, I’m not afraid of God. :highfive:

Nor am I. It just makes no sense to me.