City workers can’t write the Standard
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A copy of a memo from Llewellyn to city employees was obtained by the Standard this week. It was reportedly attached to all city employees’ paychecks and was dated Aug. 27. It cited two letters to the editor from city staff over the past two weeks.
“This needs to stop,” the letter states, citing Llewellyn’s understanding of “being belittled in a public forum” and says responding to criticism only fans the flame.
“There are two rules in life that you all should know and follow: do not pick a fight with someone who buys ink by the barrel and today’s newspaper can be found tomorrow in the trash can,” the letter states.
“That said, employees will not respond to media stories or editorials. You will not write letters to the editor or telephone radio stations without my approval. One of Mayor Davenport’s roles for the city is as our official spokesman. Commenting on how we provide services is his job alone.”
Asked about the order, Llewellyn said the memo is related to a sports opinion column that criticized food at the ball fields. The column provoked letters to the editor from two people who work for the city.
“The mayor is the spokesman for the city and if someone wants to complain about the food at the concession stand, that’s their right. And if it’s one of the Standard’s writers, that’s their right. It’s not our employee’s right to write back,” he said.
Llewellyn said he does not believe the directive is a violation of employees’ rights under the First Amendment.
“Absolutely not,” he said of infringing on speech rights.
Asked what would happen if a city employee did write a letter to the editor, Llewellyn said it would be treated as a disciplinary action.
“It’s a violation of the city’s employment policy and they’ll be disciplined,” he said.