First city council meeting since Florence Council members resigned leaving only the mayor
FLORENCE, Colo (KRDO) -- Monday, Florence government officials met publicly for the first time since six council members resigned, leaving only the mayor.
On March 22, the entire Florence City Council resigned, Multiple Florence Council members told 13 Investigates they resigned because they did everything they could to find the truth and address corruption and were rejected.
Those issues uncovered by 13 Investigates include a pattern of abuse by former City Manager Mike Patterson that spanned several years, former and current city employees saying they were forced to take off COVID-19 sick time when they weren't ill, and missing taxpayer money.
Florence Mayor Paul Villagrana brought a call for a special election forth. He announced that their special election will be on August 2nd. Florence citizens, who wish to be a City Council member, must garner 25 petition signatures from their fellow citizens.
Additionally, Florence Finance Director Lori Cobler addressed $76,661.21 in bills allowed. 13 Investigates learned that the City of Florence can only pay bills that were already in the city budget, and therefore those approved by the previous council.
"At some point will it be divulged to any of the candidates exactly all of the findings that you guys have investigated and found so far," Sandra Roberts, a Florence taxpayer questioned.
Mayor Villagrana responded by affirming that every member of the new council will be privy to the findings of any investigation that is conducted in Florence.
FLORENCE POLICE OFFICER RESPONDS TO MEDIA COVERAGE IN FLORENCE
After city business was conducted rather quickly, Florence Police Officer Susan Barnes addressed the citizens in the audience.
She began by making a connection from her experience as an officer in the small town of Green Mountain Falls, Colorado. She explained how in 2013 their entire police force resigned amid public pressure stemming from "rumors" of misallocation of funds in the town.
Many of which, she says were made worse by media coverage.
"The town was falling a part divided by rumors, misconceptions, allegations and lies most of which were totally without any merit," Barnes said. "Reporters are not our friends and they are not our allies, they are here to do a job."
Barnes went on to say that reporters jobs are to grab headlines and perform for ratings, not help the people of Florence today or Green Mountain Falls back in 2013.
"They don't care about this community or leaving it in shambles. Their goal is to obtain that next Emmy or Pulitzer nomination," Barnes said.
Much of her diatribe directed at the media was centered around having due process before passing judgement, and avoiding being tried in the "court of public opinion."
"We have a complete judicial system with arrests, investigations, courts, judges, trials and hearings. We have policy and regulation within a city government. None of which rely in any way on the media," Barnes said.
Barnes told the crowd her comments were not an attempt to distract from issues the city is facing, specifically tied to ongoing criminal litigation pertaining to former City Manager Mike Patterson. However, she said she felt it was necessary to say the media has a habit of "sensationalizing old news that is just being reinvented."
"In my year here as an officer, I have felt the overwhelming support, love and encouragement time and time again from our citizens and our town," Barnes said. "I love this city and our community and assure you that it's the commitment of the Florence Police Department to support, protect and defend this city and its people in all aspects is unwavering."
