MASON CITY – City administrator Brent Trout has responded to a situation where a city employee allegedly used vulgar language in reference to a citizen.
SOCIAL MEDIA POST AND EMAIL TO TROUT AND ELECTED CITY LEADERS:
from: Matt Marquardt <northiowatoday@gmail.com>
to: Perry Buffington <pbuffington@masoncity.net>,
Brent Trout <btrout@masoncity.net>,
Council Member Alex Kuhn <atlargea@masoncity.net>,
schickelatlarge@masoncity.net,
mayor@masoncity.net
date: Wed, Aug 19, 2015 at 11:25 AM
subject: Social media policy
Good day.
I don’t know if you have a social media policy, but I wonder if perhaps you need one.
I highly doubt that having no consequences for your well-paid city employees who call your law-abiding, tax-paying, business-owning citizens filthy names is good for business at city hall. Is this part of the “Decorum, Discipline, Diligence” gibberish we were sold?
This is the second time this employee has called me names; people know who she’s talking about because it was sent straight to me; I have no connection with Tricia Sandahl via social media. Coupled with the other actions used against me by some associated with city hall (which I have alerted police and others to), I am less than thrilled with my treatment. Perhaps this employee feels emboldened because some of you don’t like how I make a living, and she knows it’s OK to attack Matt Marquardt, since some of you have already done so?
See the attached graphic which was provided to me. I’d like to know what, if any, actions will be taken in regards to this.
Matt Marquardt
Mason City citizen
RESPONSE FROM BRENT TROUT:
from: Brent Trout <btrout@masoncity.net>
to: Matt Marquardt <northiowatoday@gmail.com>,
Perry Buffington <pbuffington@masoncity.net>,
Council Member Alex Kuhn <atlargea@masoncity.net>,
Council Member Bill Schickel <schickelatlarge@masoncity.net>,
Eric Bookmeyer <ebookmeyer@masoncity.net>
date: Wed, Aug 19, 2015 at 5:33 PM
subject: RE: Social media policy
mailed-by: masoncity.net
Mr. Marquardt,
The actions of the employee will be investigated and appropriate action will be taken per our personnel policy.
Brent Trout
City Administrator
City of Mason City