During the Sept. 17 Solon City Council meeting, councilor Lauren Whitehead requested to amend records from the Sept. 3 meeting to show there was an extended exchange between city representatives and a resident.
The exchange was with Toni Russo, a longtime resident of Solon, during a Q&A session concerning the Macbride Pointe Subdivision request for city water.
During the Sept. 3 meeting, Russo questioned city officials on Macbride developments’ access to water and allocation of public funding. City officials responded to Russo, claiming the questions were irrelevant to the Q&A session and lacked adequate information. As the conversation progressed, there was tension.
On three occasions, Solon Mayor Pro Tem John Farlinger said he would call the Johnson County Sheriff’s Department to have Russo escorted off the property.
“You can either have a seat, you can ask one question, or we can call the sheriff’s department and have you removed. That’s where I’m at with this because you’re just going to talk in circles,” Farlinger said.
Russo was not escorted out. Councilor Lauren Whitehead was not present at the Sept. 3 meeting.
“I ask that the record be amended to ensure transparency and full accountability,” Whitehead said.
The request was supported by one other council member, Cole Gabriel. The motion did not receive enough support to pass.
“I want to be clear that short of verbal abuse or threats, I will never support the use of law enforcement during a public council meeting,” Whitehead said. “I want every resident of Solon to know that those words and actions do not reflect me, nor do they reflect the kind of leadership I believe our city deserves.”
Whitehead went on to apologize to the residents of Solon.
“To Toni and any resident who felt intimidated or embarrassed in these chambers, I’m very sorry, and you deserve better,” Whitehead said. “We take a civility pledge every meeting, and we violated that civility pledge, and that is not acceptable to me. I don’t feel it’s ever a waste of time to engage with constituents. It is never too burdening to listen. It is our job.”
According to the City of Solon’s council meeting agenda, the civility pledge is taken at the beginning of each meeting after roll call. The pledge is as follows:
“We pledge to promote civility by listening, being respectful of others and acknowledging that we are all striving to support and improve our community.”
The Economist asked Russo for comment about the Sept. 17 meeting. She was honored to hear what Whitehead had to say but remains concerned about access to information.
“This is beyond the water issue,” Russo said. “This goes to my right to speak at a hearing, legitimate interest, documented concerns, and to get honest answers. I am entitled to speak and to expect a complete answer, and I was given neither.”