Melvindale Mayor Nicole Shkira (second from left) said during the Aug. 21 City Council meeting that she would like to create a policy that would restrict what city officials post on social media, as City Manager Richard Ortiz (left) and City Attorney Larry Coogan listen.
By SUE SUCHYTA
Sunday Times Newspapers
MELVINDALE – Mayor Nicole Shkira said she would like to establish a policy that would suppress what city council members say about police officers, city employees and her on social media.
A study session will be held at 7 p.m. Sept. 16 in the council chambers at city hall, 3100 Oakwood Blvd., to discuss the mayor’s policy proposal.
During the Aug. 21 council meeting, the mayor said it was “disheartening” to see council members posts on a private Facebook group “bashing” the city’s police officers and her.
Shkira did not produce evidence to corroborate her statements.
“While we may have our differences, our job, now that we are elected, is to come together and do what is best for the city, and I think that it’s disgusting to see,” she said.
The mayor and the council have had a contentious relationship since Shkira was elected mayor last November.
Shkira said the city’s Public Safety Commission has established a policy that prevents police officers from making negative comments about council members.
“I think that we need a policy, as well, that we shouldn’t be bashing not only our police officers, but our employees, either,” she said. “If you have an issue with somebody that’s an employee, go talk to them personally, and don’t put it on social media.”
Shkira said the alleged comments were made within a private Facebook group, but claims they were still disseminated.
She made a motion that a policy be drafted that prohibits city council members from verbally “bashing” police officers and city employees. There was no direct response from the council.
City Council President Joe Jackson then suggested that the mayor and council hold a study session to consider the issue at hand.
“You put a blanket statement like that, you really open the Pandora’s box,” he said.
Shkira replied that if the police officers are not permitted to criticize council members on social media, council members should not be allowed to criticize them.
“If that’s going to be the case, then I will override their policies, because they should be able to voice their opinion as well,” she said. “If this body is going to sit on social media and post about our officers, then they should have the right to post back about this body.”
Jackson again called for calm and a study session to carefully consider any future policies.
“I agree with you that there needs to be some kind of cordialness, on social media and here,” he said. “But I think we need to sit down and think it out.”