Conner: ‘There is absolutely no proof to anything I have been accused of’
South Lake Tahoe City Councilwoman JoAnn Conner on Oct. 16 says she is the one being bullied, not the other way around. Photo/Jessie Marchesseau
By Jessie Marchesseau
The South Tahoe Chamber of Commerce met Friday evening to allow JoAnn Conner, former chamber president and South Lake Tahoe city councilwoman, to tell her side of the story.
Conner was banned last month from having interaction with city staff as a result of a list of allegations including verbal attacks on city employees and the city manager, being disrespectful to other councilmembers, and being hostile and demeaning to people during public meetings.
“There is absolutely no proof to anything I have been accused of,” she told the chamber group Oct. 16. “I would like to categorically state I have never, ever sworn, yelled at or threatened or done anything to intimidate a city employee including the city manager.”
However, Lake Tahoe News has been told proof will be forthcoming in the form of verbal testimony and emails from Conner during Monday’s special council meeting.
Conner said she is a passionate and straightforward person and realizes that there have been times when people felt she was too harsh. “And for that I apologize,” she said.
Conner went on to point out that none of her colleagues is without fault and they have all done things that were rude or inappropriate. She said she doesn’t know why they are focusing these accusations on her.
“I believe we have some issues with our employees, yes. But I don’t believe I am the cause of that. I think it is coming from another source, and have encouraged my fellow councilmembers to talk to our employees,” Conner continued.
She then addressed each of the seven allegations listed on the resolution which state that she has been:
1. On numerous occasions been disrespectful to councilmembers during public meetings;
Conner’s response: “I think that’s a matter of perspective. I think some of the other councilmembers have also been rude.”
2. Verbally attacked employees, including the city manager, resulting in a pattern of behavior that may constitute a potential hostile work environment;
Conner’s response: “Not true. Absolutely not true. No proof has been presented.”
3. Caused employees to seek advice and assistance from the city attorney and/or city manager arising out of confrontations or interactions with Councilmember Conner;
Conner’s response: “Where is the proof? When I asked the city attorney, ‘Where is the proof?’ the only instance he gave me was related to parking enforcement over two years ago .…”
4. Potentially subjected the city to litigation for the alleged behavior;
Conner’s response: “Not true.”
5. As a representative of the city and City Council, has acted in a manner that has caused the agency partners to decline to or be reluctant to work with Councilmember Conner;
Conner’s response: “Again, where is the proof of that?” She said she could think of one instance concerning the senior subcommittee when she had a bit of a disagreement with El Dorado County Supervisor Sue Novasel.
6. Been hostile and demeaning to persons who have provided testimony or opinions in public meetings;
Conner’s response: “I don’t think so, but that’s possible. I think that’s a matter of perspective. And certainly there are people who could testify that just about every council member up there has done the same thing at some time.”
7. Has acted in a manner during public meetings that has been alleged in an editorial in local media to be bullying, ridiculing and scolding, which impacts the respect the public has for the city and the City Council.
Conner’s response: “Seriously? ‘Alleged in a local publication.’ None of that was true. The he-said, she-said, somebody-said is ridiculous. The comment about my having a CCW [carry concealed weapon] and the employees feeling threatened because I bring a loaded gun to government property: Mr. (Kenny) Curtzwiler investigated that. It was very simple to prove I have never applied for, much less have I ever received a CCW. And I would like to know who has seen me carry a gun, because I have never carried a gun loaded or unloaded onto any government property.”
However, prior to it being published that Conner had a concealed weapon permit she told councilmembers, department heads and others she had one. Because there is no statewide registry for concealed weapon permits and the fact they expire it is not known if she was telling the truth when she previously boasted of having one or now when she denies having one.
Conner said when she requested information from City Attorney Tom Watson on specific instances of the alleged behavior, she was told employee complaints are confidential and he did not have exact dates or documentation of the behavior in question.
When attorney and former Councilman Bruce Grego asked Conner how she was supposed to defend herself against the allegations when the city won’t release the confidential information they are based on, Conner said she didn’t know. She went on to say she has been approached by several employees away from work who told her they don’t feel threatened by her. She claims she is the one being bullied, not the other way around.
Conner said she believes this all came to a head when she challenged City Manager Nancy Kerry on what Conner believed were erroneous charges on some temporary activity permits and also had a disagreement with Kerry concerning the lease for the senior center.
Councilman Tom Davis was also in attendance Friday as a member of the chamber, but declined to join the discussion beyond saying: “There’s two sides to every story, and you’re going to hear both sides on Monday. So that’s the time to come and listen, and whatever evidence there is will be presented to both sides.”
A special meeting concerning the possible censuring of Conner is scheduled for Oct. 19 at 3pm at Lake Tahoe Airport.
Jessie, very well written and straightforward.
Its a he said ,she said ,I would like to see proof, It reminds me of High school Bully time, Please principal,Just suspend me.And the other student.
Lisa: that makes zero sense. As usual. It’s painfully obvious you never graduated high school.
And these are our elected officials…very sad.
If City employees truly feel harassed or threatened by Conner, they should file for restraining orders at the courthouse and let a judge determine whether or not there is actually a problem. Otherwise this is simply country bumpkins at work with the city manager acting as a mother goose guarding her coddled flock.
If Conner actually uses offensive profanity or other derogatory language in public or directed at others, she should simply be ignored. There are more serious issues that need addressing.
Since this whole thing has unfolded, JoAnn has mobilized her cronies to jump to defend her on the internet.
I’ve watched her during one of her outbursts and it absolutely is cringe worthy. Just watch how she acted toward peopleI who were for the plastic bag ban, or how she acted when they elected the mayor pro term. She’s a bully. NO ELECTED OFFICIAL SHOULD ACT LIKE THIS. I just don’t understand how people even support her.
I love how instead of accepting that there might be a problem with her communication skills, she’s categorically denying it. All the while shouting about conspiracies and witch hunts. I call Bull JoAnn. I’ve watched you. You do not act in a manner that is befitting of a public official.
Shame on the chamber for giving her a platform to speak one sided on the issue. That is what the meeting is for on the 19th. Notice how the other side is saying nothing on the issue?! You know why? BECAUSE THERE COULD BE POTENTIAL LITIGATION. If JoAnn was smart she would have had no comment and hired a lawyer.
I have to applaud Tom Davis for standing up to this bully.
Oh and I love this comment “Conner said she believes this all came to a head when she challenged City Manager Nancy Kerry on what Conner believed were erroneous charges on some temporary activity permits and also had a disagreement with Kerry concerning the lease for the senior center.” So JoAnn is using her position of power to benefit her own businesses?!!!
VOTE…that is the answer!! Not this absurd name calling/censuring/etc crap.
VOTE…this JoAnn person has been voted into office and if she is not doing as her constituents wish then THEY should VOTE her out…period.
If just one person claims the allegations against Ms. Conner, it is somewhat easy to dismiss. When several say the same thing, placing their reputations, careers and incomes on the line, one could theorize it is a conspiracy, or demonstration of a pattern of bad behavior.
Ms. Conner, while often passionate about promoting the community and her event planning business, has demonstrated a repeated unwillingness to entertain alternative realities beyond her fixed ideas and world view. This character flaw is not the hallmark of an elected official who makes constructive changes for his/her constituency or considers the input of people she is supposed to represent who don’t share her beliefs, attitudes and values.
One telling example: Her complete rigidity against implementing mandatory bear boxes throughout the region, despite evidence from many other mountain communities, the U.S. Forest Service, Yosemite National Park, etc. of success in minimizing human/bear interactions, offers yet another glaring example of the need to defeat her at the next election.
OK SLT it is time to show your cards and end your PR war against Connor. Overzealous blathering is no substitute for evidence. With grossly improper management of the RDA’s (now no longer in existences) and gross illegalities in parking management I say the council has a lot more to be worried about and not of a civil nature.
Sounds to me we have a bunch of week liberal morons complaining. And we wounder why this town is so jacked up. Don’t worry you libtards are on the way out.You just don’t realize it.
“no proof” is a whole lot different response then I’m innocent.
Sorry JoAnne I’m not buying it.
You are obviously in denial of your behavior towards others.
Hope the hearing on the 19th is an open one that brings the allegations and illustrates any evidence, or that there’s a lack thereof, out into the open.
Really don’t know what the truth is here! Do know that many a bureaucrat, including those working for our City, live in a bubble. They have no clue how the world operates, what it takes to get things done. And how challenging it is to operate a profitable business.
I point to as evidence whatever moron thought up that absurd sign fee increase.
What a bureaucrat thinks of as abusive behavior, what it takes to get to the truth, and what it takes to make things happen outside their bubble, is of a different reality than it is most out in the World.
That they could close ranks, and try to shut out someone whom they just don’t care for, is not inconceivable!
As I previously stated in another post, I know JoAnn to a small degree. Seems honest & dedicated to me. But it bugs me to see her self-righteously proclaim she’s all for the little guy, when she so strongly supported the Paid Parking baloney.
Anyway, there are still lines of behavior that cannot be crossed. And JoAnn made a pretty strong declaration about how she absolutely did not cross them. Am told there’s pretty strong evidence she did.
So again, hope it’s an open & honest hearing and the facts come out. And Ms. Conner’s integrity stays intact?!
Drake, nice. Way to make a point. You certainly showed them.
Good point Rooster-
I submit the bag ban meetings are proof of Conner’s harsh personality and a precursor of things to come.
Lets cut to the chase….in 2013 Conner’s attitude and behavior was noted and the City leaders should have taken steps to curtail her combative and demeaning tendencies.
It is now 2015 and since nobody stood up to her, she did what we all have a tendency to do….if it is working for you, do it harder.
Finally her attitude reached must act proportions as it was interfering with getting City business done. I think this could have been handled quieter and more effectively than public censure and communication bans but let us learn from it and get on with business.
At the end of the day, this situation smacks of the Terry Trup days with the City firmly burying it head in the sand and hoping it will go away.
It would be good if Conner bit her tongue, shuts up and lives out her term quietly.
But this is probably not going to happen.
Thank you Cranky! It’s as if no one remembers her actions. She’s acted like a crazy person in front of hundreds of people.
I find it interesting that a related letter in “Voices” that was on this site this morning, is now a blank page. Hopefully this is inadvertent as the ‘news’ in the letter by Angela Olsen is a WTF (oh no, you did it- you thought a curse word!)-moment.
There’s a witch hunt going on in Salem… er, I mean South Lake Tahoe.
Bullying in the workplace makes it ugly. Ugly for everyone who works there.
By hook or by crook, it needs to be resolved.
A public official who is a bully is putting the ‘people’s’ work at risk in addition to wasting the taxpayers time and obligation.
Not sure if the council woman is as such, as I have not seen her first-hand. I do hope the truth comes out however.
Isee…the letter you refer to is still on my computer…I just re read Angela Olsen’s letter.
Liberude the Troll your comments sound like you are still in grade school. How many years is it you have been held back now?
oooh…Drake called people ‘liberals’….
So sad to see the city I loved and lived in for 40 years is turning into a Kindergarten playground. Grow up and get on with the business of the city.
John,
I don’t have a bear box, I’m one of the few that has not had a bear incident in many years, other than finding their poop in my yard. I thoroughly clean, then pine sol my dumpster.
Moral of the story, don’t tell em how to do it, just make sure it gets done.
John
I do not have a Bear Box and I have never had any problems with bears in my trash however they are in my neighborhood. I have no plans on getting one as I don’t need it. On this issue I would vote for Joann again in the future as responsible people should not be forced to pay for something they do not need just because of others that can’t manage their own trash.
JoAnn, seriously? If you want proof of your behavior …why don;t you watch yourself on the video of recent Council Meetings? This playing dumb just makes for more drama, when there’s work to be done …
As for the employee complaints, I hope there are some documentations of specifics, even if the names are redacted in some way to protect the employees. People talk, employees talk, this is not rocket science nor is it a state secret…I’m sure even non-employees have witnessed and heard your behavior at the Rec Center over the many events you have held there.
And yes, I think the City needs to weigh it’s options as to allowing you to further your own personal business ventures by throwing around your weight as a councilmember to take over resources like the Recreation Complex….
Just my 2-cents
So JoAnn, how did that “I’m the victim” thing work out for you. LOL!