Residents and a mayoral candidate say trespass ban, staff responses limit access to records; council heard complaints

Residents criticized how Town Hall has handled public access to records and who may speak during council meetings, and asked the mayor to rescind a trespass order against a mayoral candidate. At the Aug. 28 Stevensville Town Council meeting, speakers raised two linked concerns: that Jim Cruz, who is running for mayor, was trespassed from Town Hall and therefore cannot access records or attend council meetings, and that town staff routinely answer council members' questions without the mayor first recognizing them, which residents said violates meeting rules. The matter began with a public commenter who identified their address as 305 Sixth Street and said, "person who's running, Jim Cruz, who is a candidate for mayor. He has been trespassed by the current mayor. On the papers served to trespass him from City Hall, no reason was given." That comment was followed by other residents who recounted interactions at Town Hall and read from letters Cruz submitted. Why it matters: speakers said access to Town Hall records and the ability for candidates or citizens to attend and observe public meetings are fundamental to public participation. One speaker cited a provision described in the meeting as "Article 2, part 2, section 9" and said it protects the right to examine public documents and observe deliberations. In a letter read aloud by a council member who said he was speaking for Cruz, the writer challenged the town's handling of a records request and the mayor's interpretation of local resolutions governing equipment rental; the letter said an attorney was engaged without council consultation and called the trespass "censorship." Another resident, Sharon (address given as 8225 Valley View Street), described an encounter at the Town Hall front counter where the town clerk allegedly told Cruz he needed the town attorney's permission to view certain materials. Council procedure concerns: multiple speakers cited Robert's Rules of Order and specific sections of the town's council rules during public comment. The letter read at the meeting referenced several council-rule sections (for example, rules about when staff may speak at council meetings and timelines for submitting materials). A speaker said, "When a council meeting is in session, all communication concerning public matters between council staff and public shall be openly performed and subject to public inspection and record keeping," paraphrasing the council rules cited in the packet. No formal action on the trespass was recorded in the meeting minutes. Several attendees asked the mayor to "bring down this wall" and rescind the trespass so the candidate could participate in Town Hall business. The council did not vote on the trespass during the meeting. Background and next steps: speakers urged clearer procedures for staff responses during meetings and better notice and access to documentation. The record shows residents asked the mayor to cancel the trespass; the transcript does not show the council taking formal action on that request during the Aug. 28 meeting. Further action would require a separate agenda item or follow-up outside this meeting.