The Heber City Council voted to prevent elected officials from publishing personal columns in the city newsletter unless they obtain prior approval. The amendment changed the existing communication policy, which was adopted in February.  City Councilor Mike Johnston proposed the amendment du ring the Oct. 20 meeting, but said he didn’t want to make it a big deal. The change passed 3-2, with councilors Yvonne Barney and Morgan Murdock opposed. “It’s just a newsletter,” Johnston said. “We just want staff to take care of it. Staff is most prepared and capable of putting out things that are newsworthy and of importance to the citizens that read it.” During the meeting, Johnston told the City Council there are other avenues officials can use to communicate with the public, such as social media, a letter to the editor or publishing their own flyer.  “But I don’t think I have a right to promote my agenda in the city newsletter and I don’t think any of you do either,” Johnston said. Mayor Heidi Franco pushed back against the amendment. The mayor does not vote unless needed to break a tie. “There’s a reason I wore black today,” Franco said during the meeting. “Because what you’re trying to do is, of course, take away an elected official’s opportunity to say what they need to say to constituents.” Franco referenced her own newsletter columns, which she described as advocating for conflict of interest disclosures from public officials. She said she never named names in her columns. “I was saying we need to follow the laws,” Franco said during the meeting. “We need to enforce the laws on ourselves. We can’t excuse ourselves. And if that opinion has brought this about, then shame. Shame on whoever believes that.” Johnston responded to the mayor before the vote. “Mayor, you have not been able to police yourself to write things that were positive,” Johnston said. “You write things that disparage staff and disparage elected officials. You’re insinuating wrongdoing in the city newsletter, and yes, you’re stirring the pot of discontent and contention in a city newsletter.” Johnston went on to say officials don’t get the chance to respond to comments made in the newsletter before it’s sent to thousands of households.  “It’s my opinion that the majority of the city council do not like the mayor’s opinions, and so this is a way to silence the mayor,” Franco said.  Johnston said the city manager and his staff will be solely responsible for the newsletter. “A future council can undo this they want,” Johnston said, “but for right now, we just decided we just don’t want to have this going out on official publications, people’s personal opinions.” The post Heber City Council restricts personal columns by officials appeared first on Park Record. ...read more read less