Trinidad City Councilman Mike Morgan
From the McKinleyville Press:
“A Trinidad City Councilman’s personal blog has aroused a furor of controversy, leading to accusations by other councilmembers of an invasion of their privacy and a violation of trust.
“Councilmembers Kathy Bhardwaj and Julie Fulkerson said they were disturbed to find their private correspondence about city issues posted on Councilman Mike Morgan’s personal blog.”
Morgan’s blog, A Job Worth Doing, went live late last year.
The Times-Standard noted in December that Morgan hoped to make the city’s business more accessible to the public — which is apparently the cause of the uproar.
Morgan appears unfazed. He responds:
Councilmembers who were involved in these email discussions, between a majority of the Council, should accept that what they did was bad judgement at best, apologize to our Townspeople for breaking their trust, and commit to not do it again.
Public officials discussing public business is not private – it is of public record. Public Records include e-mails and e-mail trails as well. Blogs too.
Jeffrey Lytle
McKinleyville – 5th District
Yay! Heraldo beats the T-S to yet another headline! God, I love hard news.
All credit to the Mac Press and reporter Elaine Weinreb.
The McK Press has been doing a great job informing readers about the doings of the Harbor District, County Planning Commission, and of course the McK Community Services District and all of our very own McK town political infighting and drama (subjects that rarely get the attention of Times Standard reporters). The Press also covers Trinidad and Westhaven, with a little Orickian news on occasion.
Why is “judgement” sicced? It is an accepted variant of “judgment.”
only liars and rippers have things to hide….tar & feather the bastards, toss the tea into the bay.
Upon further research it appears you are correct. My spell check, however, disagrees.
A big Keep It Up for M&M, way to hold your coworkers to the scorching flame of justice. To the haters: Hang It Up. The councilmembers are elected officials, writing about their constituents on the taxpayer dime. I’d say their emails are hardly “private.”
Why is “judgement” sicced? It is an accepted variant of “judgment.”
It shouldn’t be. The e is used in Britain, and used to be used here. Either spelling is acceptable here, though it’s most often used without the e. Not sure how that happened.
Thanks for the press, Heraldo. It’s nice to find out that people notice what we’re trying to do at the McK Press.
Nice Paper, that McK Press.
Wouldn’t it be more important to know what “judgement’ is than how it’s spelled?
Why wouldn’t a council person want their views to be known if it pertained to town business? It would seem the more people to participate, and have an opinion, the better.
But, we don’t have controversy in Garberville, so this is all new to me.
Well, do we forget the Ralph M. Brown Act? A majority of council members discussing what is city business is a violation of state law. Let the sun shine bright on the communications, which is the intent of the Brown Act.
More than 2 council members? – Ralph M. Brown Act.
As far as Mckinleyville Press, JD and staff are doing a commendable job. The McK Press is the best paper around and has been for some time. Hats Off!
McK Press papers can be picked up at various locations in the northern part of the County. Ray’s Food Place is where I get this paper. It is 50 cents an issue; and, well worth the cost of doing business for local information purposes.
Jeffrey Lytle
McKinleyville – 5th District
BTW, anyone see what went down yesterday in and adjacent to the Humboldt County Supervisors Chamber with Sheriff’s Deputies?
The Brown Act only applies if the matter discussed is, or expected to be, on an upcoming agenda.
“Should accept that what they did was bad judgement at best” is not a very good use of English. “Their actions were a result of bad judg(e)ment” would make for a better sentence.
But seriously, pedantry like “judgement [sic]” is as silly as putting “acknowledgment [sic],” “colour [sic]” or “grey [sic].”
Thank you! In California, council members are not supposed to have secret meetings and meeting over several days via the internet is no exception. The violation of trust between citizens and the city council is more important than this imaginary trust between council members. Morgan is 100% correct in this matter.
BTW, anyone see what went down yesterday in and adjacent to the Humboldt County Supervisors Chamber with Sheriff’s Deputies?
Yes, our friend, Tad made a huge nuisance of himself, was escorted from the chamber and then demanded to be arrested. As my Sheriff friend so aptly put it, “we happily obliged him.”
Sunshine is your friend, the truth wants to be free. I absolutely, 100% applaud and support the disclosing of these emails.
It’s pretty funny watching a bunch of people defend the indefensible. Why would the council members discussing an issue by e-mail not be a violation? It’s sickening, but even more sickening is their vehement defense of their reprehensible actions.
Gary’s a gas: “we happily obliged him.” Heh.
“BTW, anyone see what went down yesterday in and adjacent to the Humboldt County Supervisors Chamber with Sheriff’s Deputies?”
“Yes, our friend, Tad made a huge nuisance of himself…”
>> If true, why has he not been arrested dozens of times before now?
Hmmm, why would a sheriff’s deputy arrest someone if they asked to be arrested, especially when it would cost the Sheriff’s Department more money in services rendered? If they were going to arrest him anyway, then the obliging for arrest is not applicable. I suppose the Deputies and the Nark were happy at jumping to the opportunity.
Jeffrey Lytle
McKinleyville – 5th District
I’m actually surprised Tad’s not being touted as some kind of hero for being so obnoxious.
What I can’t figure out is why their city attorney took part in the e-mail exchange. What, he doesn’t know about the Brown Act? Thats pretty pathetic.
Am I the only one noticing how hot Mr. Morgan is?
I imagine this will not do much to further harmony and cooperation on the Trinidad City Council. Er- Town Council.
“Private e-mail,” is a contradiction in terms.