Councilman Tony Peterson will have his say at Aug. 28 hearing
By Per Peterson
First, it was Jeff Salmon, and soon it will be Tony Peterson’s turn to defend himself in front of his peers in council chambers.
The city council on Monday voted 3-1 to move ahead with a public hearing to address allegations of misconduct against city councilman Peterson — and EDA member and employee of Salmon, who was recently removed from the EDA board. The hearing will take place at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 28.
Jeri Schons, Kou Thao and Tracy Mayor Anthony Dimmers voted to move ahead to hold the public hearing; councilman Dave Tiegs voted against. Tiegs actually voted to not move forward with an investigation for alleged misconduct and hearing, but his motion failed for lack of a second. Dimmers then made a motion to set a date for a hearing; that motion was seconded by Schons.
Schons decided to move ahead with a public hearing so Peterson can tell his side of the story involving his actions leading up to the controversy. Peterson had been censured at a previous council meeting, meaning he wasn’t able to speak at Salmon’s public hearing. He continued to stand by his contention that he does not bring with him any conflict of interest in the matter.
“I feel like we need to go down the same path that we chose for Mr. Salmon,” said Schons. “In order for us to be able to hear your side of it, we have to go to a hearing.”
Peterson disagreed.
“All you’ve gotta do is ask me,” he responded. “I want it all out in the public.”
Dimmers was insistent that the council adhere to state statute and that a public hearing take place, just as it did for Salmon.
See this week’s Headlight Herald for more on this article.