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and the trespass citation that followed after I continued looking for
answers about documented safety concerns. I am not raising that to
relitigate the matter or hold any grudges. I mention it only because that
experience is what led me to start Audit Newport News and showed me
how important public access, clear records, and consistent procedures
are when residents raise concerns.
Residents are now reporting that Councilman John R. Eley III has blocked
or restricted them on Facebook after asking questions or criticizing public
conduct, policy positions, or city-related matters. One of my own
comments was also deleted after I asked about Newport News public
money going to a nonprofit from which Councilman Eley has publicly
disclosed receiving salary.
This request is about policy, public access, and transparency — not
personal disagreement. The records gathered will also be provided to my
attorney, Tim Anderson, for legal review and for him to present any
findings appropriately.
Pursuant to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, I request the
following records from January 1, 2023 to present:
1. Any City social media policies, procedures, memoranda, legal guidance,
training materials, or retention guidance concerning elected officials, City
Council members, or city employees blocking users, deleting comments,
hiding comments, restricting users, moderating comments, or using
personal/campaign accounts for public business. (attached)
2. Records sufficient to show users blocked, banned, restricted, muted,
hidden, filtered, or otherwise prevented from viewing, commenting,
reacting, messaging, or interacting with any John Eley, Councilman John
Eley, Team Eley, Eley for Newport News City Council, facebook.com/
john.eley.980, @johneley, or related Facebook/Instagram/Meta accountJump to an indexed page (5 of 5)