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Resident says council member blocked critics on Nextdoor; council will review written complaints
Summary
A resident told the council a Nextdoor post by Council member Aaron Bareric publicly characterized blocked community members without allowing them to reply; the mayor acknowledged receipt of written comments and said the council will take up the issue later.
Saint Helena — During the meeting’s public forum, a resident raised concerns about a council member’s conduct on a neighborhood social platform and asked the council to set clear expectations for members’ public communications.
A commenter identified in the transcript as "Mr. Man" said he was among several people named in a Nextdoor post by Council member Aaron Barak Bareric and unable to view or respond because Bareric had blocked them. "Because I am among those blocked, I am prevented from seeing his statements in real time, responding to them or correcting the record in the same public forum," the commenter said, arguing the practice undermines fairness and chills participation.
Mayor Dorne acknowledged the written submissions and told the resident the council would take up the matter at a later time. "We'll take it up at another time... as I've responded to you," the mayor said. The meeting record shows no immediate formal response from Council member Bareric during public forum and no motion or directive was made at that time.
The exchange was recorded as public comment and added to the meeting record; the council did not make a contemporaneous finding or direct staff to investigate during the meeting. The mayor and staff encouraged further written input and indicated the item could be considered at a future meeting.
