Dear Editor:
Mayor Dawn Zimmer should rescind her new public information policy, which prohibits city employees from speaking to the media, and sets other restrictions on communications between city employees and the public.
In these days when revolutions are being fought around the world over fundamental rights, this mayor is trying to take Hoboken back to the dark ages. To put the business administrator in charge of who can speak to the press or public, when and how, harkens back to the days of the Soviet Union.
The new policy, which, ironically, was not made public until a city employee leaked it to the media, gives the city’s business administrator authority over all contacts with the press and threatens termination of any employee who does not follow the policy.
This is simply bullying and intimidation of city employees, who could, as a result, be dissuaded from reaching out to the press as a whistleblower, for example. It also targets the local press, which will be hindered from doing its important work. A reporter needs to have unfettered access to information from official and “unofficial” sources.
The policy is also vague on the subject of “speaking engagements” and “presentations.” One city employee asked me if the policy prohibited city employees from speaking at a city council meeting or other public forum. That’s unclear as the policy is currently written.
It is very likely unconstitutional, but, at the very least, it sets a dictatorial tone and is contrary to the mayor’s stated positions on openness and transparency. The public has a right to know what’s happening at city hall without the filter of the mayor and the business administrator.
Sincerely,
Michael Russo
3rd Ward Councilman