ALERT: New Gag Order from the Mayor & City Manager!

by Ron West

While I do not understand how this could possibly be legal, I have been advised that all council members are now supposedly forbidden from talking to any city employees without first requesting permission from the City Manager. This is apparently a new “rule” developed in a meeting that occurred on January 14^th & 15^th. It has apparently been communicated to all elected members of our council.

This is just a preliminary flash of what may be further efforts by the “old guard” to further close our government to our citizens. While it is incumbent on our council members to avoid trying to give direction to specific city employees, it surely is their responsibility to be accessible to and to communicate with all city departments and employees.

This is one of those items that we all need to “check out” by talking to our elected officials. It is certainly not a rule that enhances open government. Try contacting the Mayor and get his take on this new gag order.