- Interesting post form my Venice Scoop Facebook page.
- I was going to blog on this issue tomorrow, but I am so disappointed w the Mayor and two Council Members, that I felt impelled to type something up tonight.
I sent the Mayor the thread, regarding Bob’s concerns with city employees talking to the press. The Mayors response was:
I am a firm advocate of freedom of speech and do not see this as an infringement on that right. The City of Venice does have guidelines in a Resolution 2012-01 titled A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF VENICE, SARASOTA COUNTY, FLORIDA, ADOPTING A SOCIAL MEDIA AND PUBLIC RELATIONS COORDINATION POLICY, AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE (attached), it does not deny freedom of speech, but does establish certain procedures to be followed. The procedures are in place to help assure the most accurate and factual information is disseminated.
Sincerely,
John Holic
Well I heard from a contact at the city that the Mayor, Councilman Bob Daniels and Councilwoman Gates were all very upset that employees talked to the press. The concern is that the city will retaliate against these two for talking to the press.
Daniels, Gates, and Holic are up for re-election in November and at this point, all three are running unopposed.
Here is the issue that I have w this whole situation. Two employees talked to the Herald. One was off the clock and off city property.
The other was on city time. The Mayor sent me a document, which I posted earlier today and it does not touch on employees talking to the press. Perhaps he sent me the wrong resolution, I don’t know. Both city employees did not communicate on behalf of the city. They gave their opinion as an employee and Union officer, on if changing the dispatch over to the city was the right move and how it would impact the employees at the dispatch.
My perception is that the Mayor and City Council members are upset because the employees voiced their concerns, which in turn let the public, know that there are reservations with accepting this dispatch deal w the county. Perhaps the Council wants everybody to just keep quiet and only communicate the details that they want out, so they have established certain individuals to communicate their message. That way they can pass any resolution that they feel will benefit them politically. Where is the transparency?
If you have a problem with the council getting upset over a individual utilizing their freedom of speech, while off the clock and off city property, send them a email at citycouncil@venicegov.com
Venice Florida - By Frankie Abbruzzino
Find out about news, events and the happenings within the Venice Florida area.
Thursday, April 4, 2013
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