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Commission exchange over paid endorsement turns to decorum concerns
Summary
A commissioner read an emailed paid endorsement and accused the mayor of reversing his position and publishing misleading information; commissioners debated decorum and use of social/paid communications.
A commissioner publicly read excerpts of a paid newsletter endorsement on March 9 and accused Mayor Carney of endorsing a commissioner candidate while permitting the newsletter’s attacks on other commissioners.
Speaker 3 told the commission the endorsement, paid for by the candidate, included what the speaker called false statements about commissioners’ budget work and criticized the mayor for reversing earlier comments on endorsements. The speaker asserted the conduct violated the commission’s charter and rules about criticizing fellow commissioners after decisions are made.
Multiple commissioners reacted: one (Speaker 4) disputed the factual points and called the newsletter “remarkably dishonest,” and the mayor and chair repeatedly urged civility and that meeting rules be followed. The mayor asked that members finish comments in order; commissioners pressed for restraint and for the chamber to remain a civil forum.
There was no formal ethics complaint or motion filed at the meeting, though commissioners noted the pattern of critiques and discussed possible follow‑up outside the meeting.
Next steps: No formal action was taken. Commissioners agreed to adhere to decorum rules and the mayor reiterated his role in facilitating orderly discussion.
Sources: Public remarks and back‑and‑forth among commissioners during the March 9 meeting.
