Walking the line
Scoop spotted three bond promotion signs last Thursday, dotting the grass in front of the Coliseum.
The colorful pinwheel signs ask voters to approve the $50 million War Memorial Auditorium project, one of four bond projects on the ballot this fall. Seeing as the signs were located on city property, it seemed to be violation of the rules that prevent city employees from promoting bond issues or political candidates.
City attorney Terry Wood asked Coliseum staff to take the signs came down, although he said he didn't know who put them up.
Most city employees walk a very careful line when it comes to political issues. It's laid out in black and white in the state law:
No employee while on duty or in the workplace may: (1) Use his or her official authority or influence for the purpose of interfering with or affecting the result of an election or nomination for political office; (2) Coerce, solicit, or compel contributions for political or partisan purposes by another employee.
To clear up some questions asked by readers, the law does not apply to City Council members. As long as they do not use any city resources -- phones, computers, staff -- they can stump for whomever or whatever they want.
Read the full election law here.
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