Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Civic Ethics topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Resident tells Flagstaff council to stop partisan social media posts or consider removal
Summary
At open call Nadine Hart urged the council to stop partisan social-media political statements, arguing that council positions are nonpartisan and asking the body to consider removal of candidates who make overt partisan statements before they reach the ballot.
During the open call at the Feb. 24 special meeting, Nadine Hart addressed the Flagstaff City Council and asked the council to amend member behavior related to political statements on social media.
Hart said the council seats are nonpartisan and expressed concern that some memberspublic posts and statements appear to favor national political positions, which she argued can influence local decisions and divide the community. She told the council, "This is a nonpartisan position that you hold...You should step down if you're unable to lead without bias." Hart cited examples including statements tied to ICE and said she felt such public positions meant some residents were no longer represented.
Hart asked the council to consider removal of a candidate from the ballot if partisan, long-form political commentary continues while they hold or seek nonpartisan office. Her remarks were made during open public comment and the council did not engage in back-and-forth questioning during the period.
What happens next: no formal council action followed from the comment during this meeting; the remarks were entered into the record during public comment.
