Home Antioch Mayor Harper Defends Antioch’s Use of “Troll Blogs” Remark, Won’t Apologize

Mayor Harper Defends Antioch’s Use of “Troll Blogs” Remark, Won’t Apologize

by ECT

Last week, the City of Antioch’s Facebook Page encouraged its citizens to not to read “troll blogs” and go to the “source” for information. The post was then shared immediately on city manager Steve Duran’s own personal page.

The social media post by the City of Antioch came less than 15-minutes after we interviewed Joy Motts regarding the residents continuing their fight to turn the Beede Historic Lumber Yard into a park-event center.

In an email dated September 22, City Manager Steve Duran stated the post was not meant for EastCountyToday, however, he never clarified who or what group the city’s comment was directed at. The Antioch Herald stated they also received a similar email.

City Manager Duran was given two opportunities to apologize in email form, he replied to neither email.

Wade HarperIn speaking with Mayor Wade Harper on Tuesday over the phone, he defended the city’s post saying under the definition of “troll” in the dictionary, the city was correct in the usage.

He explained that the information that was put out was good information on where to get correct information, but that it was poorly executed.

He proceeded to ask if we were offended by the definition and if we knew what the meaning of “troll was.”

Harper proceeded to read the definition of a “troll” which he said he looked up in the dictionary:

1. to post inflammatory or inappropriate messages or comments on (the Internet, especially a message board) for the purpose of upsetting other users and provoking a response. (source)

The Mayor then defended the city’s usage of the term “troll blogs”. He pointed out that the city was informing the public where they could get the correct information.  He also said both he and the city manager met over the issue, but would not provide details of that conversation.

“In light of that definition it’s an opinion by the city manager. He has since removed the post” said Harper. “I am not going to discuss a personnel matter of what he and I talked about in our meeting.”

When asked if the city manager’s opinion reflected the City of Antioch’s opinion since “troll blogs” were posted on the city’ account, Harper simply stated the post was removed.

When asked if City Manager Steve Duran would issue an apology to the residents of Antioch and anyone who perceived the post directed at them, Harper replied “I cannot force an employee to apologize.”

When asked if the Mayor would apologize on behalf of the City of Antioch’s staff using the term, he said he had no reason to apologize.

“I don’t have a reason to apologize. I was out of the country,” said Harper. “I will wait to apologize when I do something wrong.”

Harper was given a second chance to apologize and choose not to, saying we should use Councilwoman Monica Wilson’s comments at the City Council meeting as a form of an apology and should include it in an article.

In contrast, Mayor Pro Tem Lori Ogorchuck called for immediate removal of the post. In a phone interview she called the post inappropriate and degrading to residents of Antioch. She stated she had asked several times for it to be removed by the city which took more than 48-hours.

Monica Wilson

Antioch City Councilwoman Monica Wilson

During the Sept. 22 Antioch City Council meeting, Councilwoman Monica Wilson called on city staff to take the high road while during her speech even called out the city manager for not looking at the council when they were talking.

“I know we have items that come up on the agenda that we will have disagreements with that we will not see eye to eye on which is the beauty of the system we are in. But council, city, staff, and especially those of us on dais, do respect the people that come up here and have something to say. It takes a lot of courage to come up here and voice your opinion,” said Wilson. “Yes, Mr. City Manager, we need to look at them, look at me as well. We need to give them the respect. We may not agree with what they are saying, but we need to give them the respect. We need to set the example not to do name calling on Facebook or social media. If somebody lashes out and disagrees, let them lash out and disagree, let us take the high road. Let us as human beings take the high road and not be disrespectful.”

Wilson further stated that its time to do away with the name calling, be respectful, and stop being rude while taking the high road.

You may also like

10 comments

Jim Simmons 42 Sep 30, 2015 - 6:48 am

It’s official Antioch, we have no leadership. What a moron.

Julie Sep 30, 2015 - 8:51 am

The quote was unprofessional.It would have served Mr Harper and Antioch well to have stated that and to have admitted that they could have done better. People will tolerate human mistakes over arrogance.

We can all use words that are accurate in what we mean but sometimes (particularly when communicating to the public) there are times when we should be diplomatic. If Mr Harper doesn’t feel it is necessary to better represent his city(like Ms Wilson and Ms Ogorchuck) that is his choice. In my observation his choices during his term have reflected an arrogant, weak and not so thoughtful man that serves his own special interests rather than those that he represents.

In the meantime we have a culture of people that think it is okay to be disrespectful to teachers, police officers and others that are in a position of authority. I think we look to our leaders to better use their words and to practice respect and kindness. Mr Harper, you haven’t and that is why I will predict you will be a one term mayor.

The comment was taken down so I suspect that there was some corrections done privately with staff. Mr Duran should understand that the public holds him to the same standards as the elected officials in that he is responsible for modeling and establishing a culture of respect for the employees of the City of Antioch.

Marty Fernandez Sep 30, 2015 - 10:13 am

Actually months ago Steve Duran publicly stated this city has no leadership. It doesn’t, including him. Thank you to Monica Wilson and Lori Orgochuck for being the only leaders for the moment in Antioch. Harper’s excuse, “I wasn’t here” just shows he doesn’t care. He easily could have apologized for the City of Antioch, but he is not a leader.

The fact that the City has created a situation regarding The YARD to disintegrate to this level, all started by Steve Duran refusing to speak with the group, proves the level to which Antioch has sunk under his direction. He leads the council around by the nose and admits it. Mr Duran should be careful when he speaks because people are always around to over hear him. Maybe he should change his favorite restaurant.

danny Sep 30, 2015 - 10:38 am

Cant say I am not surprised that mayor Harper wants to take no responsibility for something since he was out of the country. unfortunately he is the face of Antioch and should apologize and expect better from city staff. What a shame. People of Antioch really do need to take their city back from these clowns.

James hatt Sep 30, 2015 - 12:54 pm

He was not talking to teenagers he was talking to all citizens including council. Mostly adult citizens and as I remember a troll is a creature living under a bridge asking for money to cross the bridge. An outcast Duran did the same stuff in Richmond and Hercules then us trolls then off to another city that is having problems. He talks about bringing jobs and getting the citizens to trust government and has the council vote in private against what the people want. He lies to the media stating that all the past surveyors stated houses are the best choice for the yard. He neglects to say that the last of his surveyors said houses are not profitable on the site at this time. The last 30 years any council member could put an item on the agenda and earlier this year Harper and Duran tried to abolish that. The citizen trolls came out from under the bridge and stopped that. Then because they went in hid in a room and voted Lori Orgochuck could not put it on the agenda for public opinion and comments. Our troll dollars are good enough for Duran to spend in Dublin where he lives and should be their blankager not ours.

Peggy Vertin Sep 30, 2015 - 6:47 pm

I would like to get Duran too; Antioch is just stagnated thanks to Harper bringing him in. Birds of a feather you know. No one was very impressed with him in Hercules but Duran himself.

JS Oct 1, 2015 - 8:58 am

There is nothing wrong with calling blogs troll blogs. Most are including this one. Go to the source is all they are saying.

danny Oct 1, 2015 - 9:26 am

When the city you live in calls you a troll resident, let us know if you perspective changes.

Rumor has it Oct 4, 2015 - 3:42 pm

@JS,

You are just the kind of troll these guys are referring to. It’s people like you that give everyone else a bad rap. Nice going.

R J B Oct 4, 2015 - 10:35 am

This is the village idiot the moronic voters wanted as Mayor. LMAO

We should all just worship him and his best friend, Willie Mims, who represents the Antioch NAACP. LOL.. they run this city, they own this city. You tax payers are nothing but their piggy banks.

Great job, you moronic voters.

Comments are closed.