Illegal, Unconstitutional Gag Orders tor St. Augustine, Florida City Employees?

Illegal, Unconstitutional Gag Orders tor St. Augustine, Florida City Employees?

Are St. Augustine, Florida city employees forbidden to attend, speak or ask questions at St. Augustine City Commission meetings?

Efforts to obtain comment from city officials were unavailing earlier today, but several sources confirmed that City employees have long been directed and expected to remain silent.
This alleged requirement violates the First Amendment and environmental whistleblower laws. In the context of EPA and FDEP investigations of our City's illegal pollution, it may constitute the felony of obstruction of justice.

City officials -- you have the right to remain silent, but we wish you wouldn't.

Do you deny that you are still telling City employees they can't attend Commission meetings?

Do you rely on the "City Manager" form of government?

In that same vein, is that why City Commissioners said nothing when they learned of City Planning and Zoning Director MARK KNIGHT's illegal orders to Street Tree Advisory Committee members that they had to vote as he wished or be fired and have the committee abolished (violating Tree City USA requirements)?

Expect democracy.

Expect free speech.

Expect our City to start obeying the rule of law.

Expect City charter amendments to give City employees and residents "a new birth of freedom," in Lincoln's immortal words.

City employees, feel free to blow the whistle on the likes of City Manager WILLIAM B. HARRISS. FBI, U.S. Attorney, the State's Attorney, FDEP and Governor-Elect Charles Crist (currently our State Attorney General) are waiting to hear from you. As it says in Isaiah, "the truth shall set you free."

City Commissioners, will you please issue a statement clarifying that City employees have the indefeasible right to speak, write or comment on any subject, including the right to attend District Board meetings? There seems to be some confusion on this issue, which can only contribute to future environmental fines and liability for the Nation's Oldest (European-founded) City.