MAYOR SUPPORTS MURDER OF CRITICS

 Questions for Mayor Mary Lou Steward (from Donna M.)

Q1. After four of your critics were publicly named in a death threat during a town hall meeting, why did you immediately leave the dais to speak privately with Police Chief Rodger Funk along with Officer Maphumulo in the hallway rather than checking on the safety of the threatened citizens or addressing the threat on the record?  

Q2. Once you knew a credible death threat had been made against named citizens, what did you do to protect them – and why did you choose not to do more?  

Q3. Why did you not publicly state that night - or at any time since - that the City of Blaine does not tolerate threats of murder against critics of the city?  

Q4. You attended the restraining order hearing related to this threat to murder but left immediately after the first order was granted. Why did you not remain to observe the full proceeding or speak with the victims afterward to affirm that the City takes their safety seriously?  

Q5. Why have you taken no action to remove or restrict public access to the death threat from the City’s website, despite a judge later confirming it as a credible, true threat to murder four people? Can you tell me why the city of Blaine continues to put these citizens’ lives at risk?  

Q6. Why were the victims’ pleas for help for an unbiased investigation not treated as paramount?  

Q7. Why did you publicly “like” a social-media post in which the individual who issued the death threat reposted that same threat online? Were you endorsing this threat to murder four of your critics?  

Q8. What is the nature of your relationship with the individual who made the threat, and why do you remain connected to him on social media after four citizens received court protection?  

Q9. Given the seriousness of the threat and the subsequent court findings, why have you made no public announcement condemning violence or affirming the City’s responsibility to protect residents?  

Q10. Were you advised at any point that the Police Chief had a conflict of interest in the investigation, and if so, why did you not seek an external referral?  

Q11. After the threat occurred, did you request or receive briefings from law enforcement regarding investigative steps taken, including whether the speaker who issued the death threat was ever interviewed? If not, why not?  

Q12. Do you believe your actions and inactions following this incident have reasonably conveyed to Blaine residents that their safety is a priority of your administration?  

Q13. Why was the person who delivered the death threat allowed to go over the allotted time, along with others who were supportive of you? Your critics were told they were not allowed to go over the two minute time limit. Can you explain why the city supports such viewpoint specific discrimination?  

Q14. Did you communicate with the Police Chief, City Manager, City Attorney, or any council members prior to the meeting regarding the speaker who later issued the threat?  

Q15. Have you contacted the person who threatened these people’s lives after he made the death threat? If so, what did you discuss?