Council virtually silent on Grand Jury report at last meeting

The Stockton City Council addressed a host of issues at this week’s council meeting – discussing plans to improve sidewalk gaps near schools, build a new parking lot in front of the new city hall, to installing automated toilets in city parks, and even listening to a public hearing on the adoption of the city’s 2024-25 annual budget.

One topic, however, escaped council comment: the June 10 San Joaquin County civil grand jury report blasting the social media site 209 Times for its undue influence over city government.

Before Tuesday’s meeting, most council members avoided the political hot potato for a variety of reasons. Only District 3 council member Michael Blower commented.

“I was happy that this report was finally released,” Blower said. “I agree with their conclusions. I think the 209 Times has done a lot of damage. I think they created a threatening atmosphere both for city employees and for many politicians in general.”

He added: “The only way to defeat a bully is to stand up to them. »

Deputy Mayor Kimberly Warmsley, who was attending a conference in Washington, D.C., did not respond to requests for comment, nor did District 4 Councilmember Susan Lenz or District 5’s Brando Villapudua.

District 1 council member Michele Padilla said “No comment,” while District 2 council member Dan Wright declined to comment, citing concerns about accidentally sharing information discussed behind closed doors, as well. only concerns for those who could have testified before the grand jury.

The grand jury report investigates claims that there was or exists a mole on the Board who leaked information to 209 Times founder and founder Motecuzoma Sanchez during closed-door meetings – a violation of the Brown Act, a state law regarding government transparency.

The Brown Act violation was investigated by an outside firm hired by the city attorney and found credible, but neither the firm’s findings nor the report was released, according to the jury. public. The jury also investigated allegations from city employees and officials that 209 Times associates would “defame” and “unfairly attack” them if they disagreed and/or supported positions defended by the publication. The jury criticized 209 Times (which it calls SMP, or social media platform) for claiming to report news but not following standards set by the Society of Professional Journalists.

The panel recommends that the Council cut ties with Sanchez and “stop allowing” the 209 Times to “interfere with effective city government through its continued association and/or support of individuals associated with SMP.”

The jury also wants a plan to deal with illegal threats against city staff and elected officials that are not covered by the First Amendment, and recommends referring them to the San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office.

Regarding Brown Act violations, the jury points out that the city spent taxpayer dollars investigating the violations, but citizens were not informed of the findings.

“The purpose of the Brown Act is to provide transparency in government,” the report reads.

Bay City News contributed to this story

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