_0.jpg)
Lemoore City Council puts member's behavior on the next meeting agenda April 17
One incident may have involved a verbal altercation with a Lemoore police officer.
Brown’s comments prompted the remaining councilmembers to place the item on the next April 17 agenda, where Blair could face disciplinary action.
Ironically, Brown’s comments, much of which he read from a prepared statement, came during a discussion of the newly proposed Lemoore City Council Rules of Procedure. The document is a set of guidelines that address a myriad of issues, sort of an all-encompassing primer dictating how to interact with fellow council members, city employees and members of the public.
Councilmembers held a special meeting Tuesday night (April 10) to discuss the proposed rules.
Chapter 3 in the proposed guidelines concerns the general conduct of councilmembers and staff.
Currently, only three councilmembers have signed the document, though under current guidelines signing the “Code” is merely an acknowledgment that it exists. “It is an optional document,” said Lemoore City Attorney Jenell Van Binsdbergen. “The code exists whether you sign it or not. The signature is more of an acknowledgment than an acceptance.”
It was during the council’s back-and-forth regarding the city’s “Code of Conduct,” a treatise spelling out how councilmembers, staff, board, and commissions interact with each other, that Brown brought up his concerns about Blair.
It was during a discussion prompted by Mayor Ray Madrigal about the need for a “process” for censuring councilmembers. Brown asked that his item is placed on the next agenda. “Mayor, if I’m out of order shut me down,” he said somberly. “Freedom of speech is paramount, but some speech can be taken in a way that may hurt our city.”
His focused his remarks on Blair. He cited recent traffic stops involving her, and at least one negative interaction with a Lemoore police officer during a traffic stop in a school zone. He didn’t elaborate but said that Blair might have acted improperly. “This conduct is unbecoming of a councilmember,” he warned. “I have the text between Councilmember Blair and Chief of Police Darrel Smith to support my concerns.”
The Leader has since learned that there may have been another incident, this one reportedly called in by an anonymous caller, who observed Blair driving recklessly near Liberty Middle School.
He also cited Facebook comments Brown said were meant to criticize participants in a recent public roundtable meeting with the city manager. “I have also received three phone calls concerning your latest Facebook comments pertaining to the city manager round-table discussions with the community.” The comments refer to a person in the meeting that Blair may have had issues. “I have the Facebook post,” stated Brown.
Blair is no stranger to social media, often using the platforms to criticize, akin to how President Trump uses the Twitter, to savage opponents.
Madrigal asked what Brown wanted on the next agenda. “The improper comments, implied threats,” toward the Lemoore police chief concerning traffic stops,” said Brown.
“What you’re saying essentially is the conduct of Ms. Blair,” asked Madrigal.
Councilmembers apparently agreed with Brown and came to a consensus to place Blair’s conduct on the next council meeting agenda.
Councilmember Jeff Chedester chimed in: “We need to be very careful about what we post on social media,” he warned. “It reflects on us. It’s very embarrassing.”
Even during Tuesday’s special meeting, Blair seemed to forget the primary purpose of the Rules of Procedure. Chapter 3 includes language that mandates that councilmembers should value each other’s time and refrain from interrupting any council member as she or he speaks, something Blair may have forgotten when she interrupted Madrigal near the end of the meeting.
“I’m not finished,” said Madrigal, but Blair cut him off continuing to interrupt.
Council meetings have been littered with examples of Blair’s demeanor. Ask 81-year-old Anne Sutton, a frequent visitor to Lemoore council meetings. It was during a January meeting that Sutton had an ugly turn with Blair.
Sutton had difficulty hearing and following the meeting politely told Blair that she had difficulty hearing the councilmember. “She told me that she had no intention of changing the way she talks,” remembered Sutton. “She said if you can’t hear me, don’t listen.”
Sutton said she was insulted when Blair told her that she’s not changing the way she speaks and told her if you didn't like it, don’t vote for her.
Sutton took it in stride. “Oh God, she sounds like Trump. I’ve talked to others who said the same thing. I think she tried to make me look like a doddering old fool. That’s not the way we expect our elected representatives to act,” she said.
