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Residents accuse council members of reporting critics on Nextdoor; council hears allegations during public comment
Summary
Multiple residents said they had posts reported or accounts suspended on Nextdoor and alleged Council member Sarah Weber and Mayor Kleinman used the platform's review process to flag critics; the claims were raised during public comment and were not directly rebutted on the record.
During the public-comment portion of the July 28 meeting, several residents alleged that elected officials had used Nextdoor’s moderation process to report or remove posts critical of the Civic Center police-station proposal. Lynn Swain told the council she had "evidence showing that council member Sarah Webber, using her maiden name and then going to Sarah W... reported residents who opposed the Civic Center project," and said her own posts had been reported and that one was suspended.
Speakers framed the issue as one of public trust and free participation in civic debate. "Should elective officials be using their positions to report or silence residents simply because they disagree with them? I think not," Swain said. Other residents echoed concerns about moderators who are current or former officials. No council member provided a direct on-the-record rebuttal during public comment, and staff did not present documentary evidence in response during the meeting. The claims remain unresolved in the public record; the council did not take immediate formal action addressing moderation on Nextdoor.
