HomeMy WebLinkAbout8/18/2026 Item Public Comment, Rowley
Sandra Rowley <
To:E-mail Council Website
Subject:Subject: Public Comment for August 18, 2026 Meeting
Dear Members of the City Council,
Request you re-consider the Personnel Board's 3-2 recommendation that there is insufficient evidence for the City Council
to consider the Complaint and Request for Censure regarding Mayor Stewart's leak of confidential information to a Cal
Poly staff member, and vote to agendize a thorough discussion of this matter at your earliest convenience.
The confidential nature of the Grand Jury report Mayor Stewart received was clearly stated on the cover sheet, i.e.,
sharing the report before it was released to the public was forbidden, and a copy of the state's applicable penal code
section was included. Despite these warnings Mayor Stewart decided not only to leak the report to Cal Poly, but she also
stated she was "fine with being outed" and "would do it again." Thus, this was a deliberate act, not an unintentional "slip
of the tongue."
Mayor Stewart's remorse for her action did not occur immediately; it occurred only after her breach of confidentiality
became known to the general public. Additionally, although this is a local issue and has been reported primarily by local
media and discussed on local social media sites, an internet search finds it was also picked up by AOL, MSM and Yahoo
News.
In order to restore public trust and confidence in City government and in the Council it is important that the Complaint and
Request for Censure be discussed fully in an open Council meeting. To not do so would reflect poorly on San Luis
Obispo, both locally and nationwide.
Presuming you decide to agendize this matter, there are some questions I hope will somehow be addressed:
1. What meaning does the oath of office have for those who take it?
2. What message will be sent to future mayors and council members who may consider communicating confidential
information to unauthorized personnel if this is not addressed? Will serving on the City Council carry no duty to
constituents or to the City to maintain confidentiality when required?
3. Can any relationship with an outside agency, company or person take precedence over ethical and lawful behavior?
4. Why was this breach of confidentiality covered-up until exposed by a public records request, and why is it being
treated differently from that concerning John Ashbaugh?
Your thorough consideration of the Complaint and Request for Censure is needed in order to restore public trust in the
actions and decisions of our elected representatives. The residents of San Luis Obispo deserve representatives who
place the interests of the community first, even when those interests differ from those of another entity. I hope this and
future decisions reflect that responsibility.
Thank you for your time and your consideration of this matter.
Sincerely,
Sandra Rowley
SLO Resident
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