Read on Twitter
Official channels have been spreading misinformation about prop #2. Let's sort through the facts.
#SaveYourNOLALibrary #NOon2
#SaveYourNOLALibrary #NOon2
Each of these points are worth emphasizing, in our humble opinion. So here they are in thread form.
Why is the NOPL publicly supporting prop #2?
Why is the NOPL publicly supporting prop #2?
It’s no secret that the NOPL has been supportive of prop #2 in recent emails and tweets.
Folks are understandably confused. How could the library support a proposition that cuts its own budget by 40%?
There are a couple of facts that voters need to be aware of.
Folks are understandably confused. How could the library support a proposition that cuts its own budget by 40%?
There are a couple of facts that voters need to be aware of.
The NOPL board serves at the mayor’s pleasure.
The mayor appoints the NOPL board, and their jobs depend on her approval. This is also true for NOPL Executive Director Gabriel Morley.
The mayor appoints the NOPL board, and their jobs depend on her approval. This is also true for NOPL Executive Director Gabriel Morley.
Morley publicly supports prop #2. In a conference call with staff, however, he conceded:
“We know the millage reduction in Dec. will have [...] long-lasting effects on the library. Clearly, the library will not be able to operate at its current level with a 40-50% budget cut.”
“We know the millage reduction in Dec. will have [...] long-lasting effects on the library. Clearly, the library will not be able to operate at its current level with a 40-50% budget cut.”
Librarians are under a gag order.
A recent policy memorandum prohibited city employees from engaging in “negative or disparaging posts about city departments, employees or policies.”
A recent policy memorandum prohibited city employees from engaging in “negative or disparaging posts about city departments, employees or policies.”
The policy has resulted in a toxic environment, wherein city workers are afraid to exercise their constitutional right to free speech, and cannot go on record with media.
Meanwhile, the city is heavily promoting prop #2 on official channels. Something is wrong with this picture.
Meanwhile, the city is heavily promoting prop #2 on official channels. Something is wrong with this picture.
Finally, note that electioneering via official channels such as the @CityofNOLA and @NOLALibrary Twitter accounts is illegal. In theory, only strictly informational content may be distributed.
One could argue that by omitting key information and grossly misrepresenting facts, the recent content from official city channels clearly framed prop #2 in a positive light, crossing a legal and ethical line.
