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County counsel briefs commissioners on social‑media and ex‑parte risks
Summary
County counsel advised Humboldt County Planning Commission members to avoid substantive social‑media engagement and independent digital research on pending quasi‑judicial matters and to disclose any off‑record contacts in a timely and complete manner.
Humboldt County planning commission counsel delivered a training session for commissioners on ex‑parte communications, social‑media conduct and digital research during the meeting.
"Ex parte, it means from one party," said Destiny Velasquez, the county’s planning commission attorney, explaining the legal concept that commissioners must avoid relying on information from a single party that other parties cannot rebut. Velasquez outlined the key rules: avoid substantive online engagement about pending quasi‑judicial matters (likes, shares, replying), disclose any off‑record contacts before staff presents the item when possible, and place new substantive information into the…
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