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Speakers urge action on harassment allegations and harm-reduction services during public comment
Summary
Two public commenters used the Jan. 21 meeting to raise different issues: one accused an alderman of targeted online harassment and asked the council to act; another urged immediate harm-reduction services and said local partners are ready to help. Mayor Irvin acknowledged the comments and said staff will follow up.
Two members of the public used the public-comment period at the Jan. 21 Committee of the Whole to make distinct appeals to the council.
Nina Armey accused “Alderman John Lash” of targeted harassment and social-media attacks, saying the conduct was “a clear present and danger to our city” and urging the alderman to resign. Armey alleged coordinated anonymous accounts and wide-ranging harassment, including accusations made against a city employee; she said she had asked the FBI to investigate.
Adam Pauley urged the council to pursue harm-reduction measures and criticized delays in action. Pauley said he had met with a deputy mayor in December and argued the city should move now, noting “we have the ability to change that” and that some local programs are backed by county support; he added that the requested actions “do not cost our city a dime” and cited available opioid funding.
Mayor Richard Irvin thanked the speakers and said the administration had given “the green light” for the harm-reduction action discussed by Pauley and that staff would follow up with the deputy mayor when he returned. Irvin asked staff to ensure the plan proceeds at the downtown commuter center as discussed with residents and advocates.
No formal council action was taken during the meeting on either matter; staff were directed (per the council’s public-comment rules read aloud at the start of the period) to follow up within the scope of the city’s authority after adjournment.
