Yesterday’s blog entitled “Please delete this email after you read it” regarding Councilmember Gary Sherwood’s email resulting in an allegation of violation of the state’s Open Meeting Law created quite a bit of controversy rippling through the Coyotes world, Glendale’s political world and even the journalistic world. I suppose the reaction from the Coyotes world is the most predictable. As anyone would expect, the Coyotes fans are fiercely loyal and anything that raises the specter of the disappearance of their team from Glendale sends them into overdrive. Their first reaction is to kill the messenger. In this case that includes not only me but Mayor Weiers, the Glendale Star and the Arizona Republic. They denigrated Mayor Weiers for outing actions that may prove to be illegal. They gnashed their teeth over my blog and the newspapers’ articles because they perceived the information as yet another hit on their beloved team.
What they fail to recognize is that while the 4 councilmembers’ actions preceded a vote on the Coyotes deal, those actions could have preceded any council vote on any issue. The troubling issue for many people is not the outcome of the vote but rather the actions that preceded and led up to the vote. The allegation is not about the Coyotes. The allegation is about improper behavior by 4 councilmembers. An investigation by the AG’s Office will surely answer the question, did they collude behind closed doors prior to the vote? Did they conduct city business secretly to assure a positive vote? Why speak to the issue of a possible Open Meeting Law violation when instead fans can deride the messengers? Why is it alright to dismiss possible illegal behavior because it is associated with a vote on the Coyotes deal? It’s a case of situational ethics.
The reaction from the Glendale political world is also predictable. It was learned that when the email first came to light, Vice Mayor Knaack denied attending the meeting. However, that would never do and would not last long. It would have had Sherwood and Knaack as adversaries; something they can ill afford right now. Today, the explanation given is that Sherwood and Knaack were in the same car when they received a cell phone call from Woods. Two things are questionable about this scenario. Where was Sammy? After all, Sherwood in his email says, “Sammy is already on board as he was with us last night.” Even if you can swallow this car explanation, it doesn’t make the allegation go away. The Open Meeting Law says, “Splintering the quorum can be done by meeting in person, by telephone, electronically, or through other means to discuss a topic that is or may be presented to the public body for a decision.” Note that they are not denying the basis of the allegation. Are they trying to muddy the waters by responding to minutia such as where they were when the meeting of the 3 and Woods took place? It’s another case of situational ethics.
The reaction from the print world can only be described as fascinating. Yesterday afternoon, July 21, I received a phone call from Paul Giblin, an Arizona Republic reporter. He proceeded to express his offense that I dared to say that I had scooped reporter Peter Corbett and the Arizona Republic. He opined that my writing was done on the back of Peter Corbett who had made the FOIA request. He said that my journalistic standards were not as high as that of the Arizona Republic’s, and ended by saying; enjoy writing your little blog.
Later that day, I learned that Darrell Jackson of the Glendale Star had made the same kind of FOIA request. Who made the first request? Update: July 23, 2014. I learned today that Darrell Jackson made the original FOIA request over 2 weeks ago. Did Peter Corbett do his story on the back of Darrell Jackson? Isn’t it weirdly coincidental that 2 reporters made the same FOIA request? Even more interesting is who tipped them off to the Sherwood email and why? What was the source’s motive for doing so? Situational ethics once again.
As for journalistic standards…hah…that’s like the pot calling the kettle black. Arizona Republic readers have complained about the perceived bias in this paper’s stories for years; to the point that it has become legendary. Paul Giblin’s outrage is much ado about nothing. More situational ethics.
© Joyce Clark,
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After spending $3.5 million in legal fees on the Casino I have to wonder how many of these secrete meetings were done over this issue. The Casino was dirty and a losing battle from the beginning. Scruggs and the whole former administration should be under investigation for bribes and fraud. WAKE UP AMERICA ya got a bunch of crooks here at home. VOTE wise, not party and stand up to this corruption!
Joe, in case you are not aware, council nor mayor run by party affiliation in Glendale, but rather by open election. Why does everything have to be about party politics?
Bill… even in a open election, people sometimes will still vote based upon a candidate’s party affiliation. It’s one of the reasons why I’m registered as an independent. So Joe does make a good point in this area.
IIRC…. It was alleged that CM Norma Alvarez held a series of “district meetings” in her home for discussion of the casino, which included the leader of the Tohono’s tribe and at least one or two other staff from the city. A few hand picked citizens from her district were also invited to attend.
I believe Joyce covered this in a previous blog??
I did. One of the attendees was Carolyn Dryer, editor of the Glendale Star. It is my understanding that she attended as a private citizen.
I find it sad and funny that a reporter from the Arizona Republic questiuons who had the story first. That speaks volumes to what Giblin is all about. He doesnt really care about accuracy as he has demonstrated many times in the past. I belive yur pal Fishbert is the ONLY one that actually went out and got the law and the case to support the fact that the Yotes deal is in no danger and is not the issue here. Why didnt Giblin and his cast of clowns come up with that?
One other point Joyce. While what it looks like they did ( still another side to the story) is wrong. Would you please expose those that kept leaking executive session information to the Canadian media? Was it Norma or Lieberman? Sruggs? It wasn’t Scruggs in the beginning because she was initionally for the deal. Can you speak to that? Fair is fair? Or to the meetings you spoke of at Norma’s house with council members and people from the tribe? Fair and Balanced? LOL
All good topics. The problem is that while I know a great deal about the questions you raised, I do not have tangible proof. Until I can obtain proof I hesitate.
Well, you got the scoop on ole Giblin anyway…ha
I continue to hope that this great organization stays in Arizona.
I wonder what the owners think if all this negativity.
I put myself in their place and I know what I’d do….
Buried sure hope they don’t
Politics is a rough business..
It ain’t a pillow fight.
I think I’ve learned that situational ethics is by gosh necessary…
Casinos are celebrated where lives are ruined, professional sports teams are villefied….
I just don’t understand this game…ha
Honestly Joyce the level of childish response as from Yvonne that they were riding around in a car is laughable. You know Nick. Call him. Ask him was he riding in the backseat? Or did they make her. Did they go to the drive in for a shake?
Did no one learn a single thing from every Glendale scandal? There must be an oath taken to did a deeper hole each time.
BTW Paul Giblin opining on journalistic standards while working for the King of NONE is so funny I keep giggling ever time I think of it.
Joyce, I’m sorry if you thought I was just attacking you. I just find it “odd” that after more than a year, you decide to file this request. As for the Mayor..I remember reading Craig’s piece about how he tried and tried to suppress ANY vote. I believe this Mayor wanted his good “friend” to get a no-bid AMA. With no vote Jerry would just throw up his hands and claim as always in a self righteous manor “The NHL is rushing us!!” His good friend with whom he met several times prior to the vote also “happens to be” tied to one of the other AMA bidders. Odd, isn’t it. This “friend” is also said to be well connected politically in the state. Think…Jerry gives the friend a nice little pocket change commission on a AMA and this friend gives him some much needed advice on future political endeavors. Jerry is a career politician and as all career politicians are running for their NEXT political opportunity. And another just “happens to be” friend of your dear Mayor. PR mouthpiece Jason Rose of this Mayor who also just “happens to be” (there is that phrase again) mired in litigation with ICE AZ. Think about it do you trust this Jerry? Think again. This is my opinion and nothing may be illegal just when you “deify” this Mayor without looking deeper I question that.
I understand and agree with some of what you said. I filed because it is the right thing to do. I had heard about these shenanigans a while back but had no tangible evidence. It is there now.
Why? would wouldn’t you also file a request for this and not for numerous rumors of the both Mayor and CM Alavarez and CM Hugh in regards to their donors/friends wanting the TO casino? You have numerous times states that your against this casino but never felt need to inquire on those issues also? Just doesn’t pass my smell test is all.
Produce some concrete proof like the Sherwood email.
Gary told me yesterday personally that you were the “tipster” that Daryl spoke of to start the wheels to have the team leave. I believe our teams fans should know this info. This email has been there for over a year, odd that you choose now to ask. Doesn’t pass the smell test. I did believe you wanted the team here…not soo much now, from what I have learned.
Hey Dark Irish, I laughed so hard when I read your comment I fell to the floor. Once I picked myself up I had to check to made sure I hadn’t broken anything!
Irish Red,
Wow. Joyce Clark starts the wheels of the team to leave? And Gary Sherwood told you this personally. Hmm: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hfYJsQAhl0
I am a friend of Mr. Jackson of The Glendale Star and I can tell you that he submitted his FOIA request nearly two weeks ago and has been going through nearly 2,500 emails that the city clerk gave to him. He found the email in question on July 17 and was working on the story when the email was suddenly “accidently” released to hundreds of people. Should you have questions about his story, maybe you should get in contact with him rather than assume something else.
Thank you so much for confirming what I had heard. The only reason I brought up the issue was Paul Giblin’s remarks to me. Now we know that Peter Corbett of the Arizona Republic was not the original FOIA requestor but rather it was Darrell Jackson who took the lead on this situation. Congratulations to Darrell.
I’ve read Mr. Jackson’s article and I am curious as to why he has not linked the two emails he references in his story?? Particularly the one involving Julie Frisoni.
When this story broke… Joyce was the only one who included the Sherwood email in her blog entry. The AZ Republic later linked the email to their story but the Glendale Star has yet to show either.