STOCKTON, Calif. — Less than two weeks after a Stockton city councilwoman penned a letter voicing allegations of misconduct against the city manager, community members made a show of support for Harry Black during Tuesday night's city council meeting.
Black's role as city manager, which survived at least two discipline, dismissal or release votes in October, was not on the agenda Tuesday night, but eight of the 13 people who spoke during public comment voiced support for him.
"Through your help and your support, we have able to serve the community in multiple capacities, especially when we had the opportunity to help those that are in need for rent... we were able to help over $44 million for a lot of families," said Inés Ruiz-Huston, vice president of Stockton-based nonprofit El Concilio. "Through that leadership, we would like to thank Mr. Harry Black, our manager who really made this happen, who really gave us an opportunity, who has been so supportive of so many community based organizations."
Last month District 1 councilmember Michele Padilla wrote an open letter alleging discrimination, bullying and harassment from Black.
In the two-page letter, Padilla revealed she made the decision to no longer hold private meetings with Black after unspecified instances of what she described as "bullying, hostility, and retaliation within city hall."
Through a spokesperson, Black declined to comment on the allegations.
In his comment, councilmember Michael Blower described recent attacks on Black as "unsubstantiated" and "garbage."
"It was so nice today to see so many respected members of our community. People from both the nonprofits, people that were previously elected officials, come here and talk in favor of our city manager," said Blower. "I just wanted to give a shout out and just say how much I appreciate the people that came out and spoke on behalf today."
Padilla penned the letter after at least two failed, behind-closed-doors votes in October to discipline, dismiss or release Black. Tuesday's public meeting was the first one since the letter was released.
"I am here really to express my gratitude and my admiration for our city manager, Harry Black," said Joelle Gomez, CEO of the Children's Home of Stockton. "I know day in and day out, city council hears criticism, negativity and I just want to take a moment to really celebrate the strengths we have in our city and a lot of it, I believe is really rooted in having such strong leadership from our city manager."
In her letter, Padilla referenced an instance in which Black allegedly made "disparaging and vulgar remarks" about an undisclosed female employee of California Water Service.
In a statement, the California Water Service said the employee involved never authorized anyone to comment on her behalf and the matter was "put to rest" in early April.
A former councilman who spoke at the meeting said issues with the city manager should be dealt with through official procedures.
"I never met Mr. Black, I don't know who he is... but I know there are procedures that go on and when I see things happening like this, it disturbs me," said former city councilmember Jesse Nabors. "Any time that you are concerned about getting rid of a city manger, it is done through the council, not in the public."
Three of the five city councilmembers present for the meeting thanked or spoke in support of Black. Both Councilmember Susan Lenz and Mayor Kevin Lincoln were absent from the meeting.
All five members on the dais, including Padilla, could be seen and heard clapping after some of the speakers who voiced support for Black.
"I appreciate you stepping up and stepping in as a leadership and our city has always appreciated," said councilmember Brando Villapudua of the city manager. "Glad everyone came out today and said some great words."
Black started as Stockton's city manager in Jan. 2020 under a unanimous vote of approval by the council at the time.
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