To: City Council
Subject: Concerns Regarding New Press Protocols
Date: Friday, February 28, 2025 9:04:48 AM
Dear Council Members,
I recently learned about the new press protocols approved by the Council, and I’m struggling to understand the reasoning behind them. What specific problem are these protocols intended to solve? What events or circumstances led to their creation? As both a mother and a concerned citizen, I know that new policies — especially ones affecting transparency — are typically put in place after a significant breakdown. So, what happened?
Reporters and journalists must have free, open, and timely access to the workings of our city government. By requiring government employees to seek permission before speaking to the press, this protocol raises serious concerns. Not only does it restrict the flow of information to the public, but it also creates the appearance — if not the reality — of collusion or coordinated messaging. Government is not a private corporation; public officials and employees should not control the narrative or the dissemination of information. Historically, the press has had direct access to our government officials and employees — so why is that changing now? These new protocols are an overreach. If not reconsidered, they risk pushing our small city toward an authoritarian framework that would be deeply harmful to the values of transparency and trust that have long defined Sebastopol.
Thank you for your time and your prompt response.
Sincerely,
Elsa Garcia
Avenue Resident
In a world where you can be anything, be kind.