From:
To: City Council
Subject: Newspersons Access to Council members
Date: Saturday, March 1, 2025 8:03:35 PM
Dear Sebastopol Council persons.
These days, under the current White House administration, it is easy to assume that any new policies, even locally, are specifically created to stop the regular citizen from asking ANY questions of ANY political figure for fear that we citizens will find out that YOU folks are trying to make changes that only benefit YOU politicians.
It looks like that is what is happening with your policies that tighten up press access to your Councilpersons.
The City staff report quote that "It is the goal of the City of Sebastopol to keep the public informed about achievements and efforts of the City and staff" starts out sounding like a good policy, except, in its execution, it slows down access to members of the city council by our press representatives to new issues (hence the term "news").
Please amend your policy to a less cumbersome one so our newspersons can contact ANY of you and get open and timely responses from you fine folks in City government.
Many of us are already scared that we will and have been left out of major National decisions that affect our livelihoods, our income and our shelter.
Please don't copy the White House!
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Lou Sefton
Mary Lou Sefton