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Pontiac council adopts resolution expressing concern about mayoral office staff written messages
Summary
Council adopted a resolution expressing concern after a written message circulated by a mayoral office staff member targeted a council member; the mayor and HR said no policy violation or criminal harassment was found, but council said the written tone harms the executive-legislative relationship and requested improved workplace conduct and an apology.
Pontiac City Council on Oct. 8 adopted a resolution expressing strong concern about a written message from a member of the mayor’s office staff that referred to a council member and said the community "is coming for her" (text circulated to a council member and reported to the sheriff’s office and human resources). The vote was unanimous on the resolution.
Mayor and HR officials told the council that the sheriff’s office found no criminal harassment and HR found no violation of city policy because the message was sent off duty from a private device; the mayor said the employee did not send the text while on city time or from a city device. Council members and public speakers nevertheless characterized the wording — especially when committed to writing — as inappropriate and corrosive to municipal governance and called for an apology and a healthier working relationship between the executive and legislative branches.
Council’s resolution stopped short of calling for personnel action; instead it asked the mayor to ensure staff refrain from personal attacks and said the council will work to improve executive-legislative relations. Several council members also discussed the broader patterns of workplace morale and consistent expectations for conduct across staff and elected members.
