This episode rated R for Nan’s language, T for Nan’s temper
If you have been keeping up with recent events in Parkville you know that the city, its aldermen and mayor felt it was a good idea to try a obtain a “gag order” restricting the First Amendment rights of a citizen seeking to hold the city accountable to the Missouri Sunshine Law in court (see the related Landmark story).
In this episode of “Love Notes,” the mayor of Parkville takes it one step further and threatens another private citizen with the prospect of being investigated by the state after he expresses his views regarding the mayor’s conduct during her DUI arrest this September.
The email below was acquired through, ironically, an open records request. The Landmark apologizes for the profanity used by the Mayor of Parkville in her communication to her constituent.
And as the White Rabbit in Alice in Wonderland said: “Your Majesty, members of the jury, loyal subjects… and the King… the prisoner at the bar stands accused….”
Queen of Hearts: “Never mind all that! Get to the part where I lose my temper.”
Okay then – here we go…. (again, our apologies about the mayor’s profane language)
From: Nan Johnston
Date: Sun, Sep 27, 2020 at 8:37 PM
To: Weston Coble
Subject: Re: Mayor should step down.
I never had your support So I don’t really give a shit what you think should happen here.
Yes the citizens of parkville. All of them can let the board know what to do with this. The people who know me are well aware of the lies and distortions in order to attempt to ruin my reputation.
I ask you…. what have YOU personally done to make this a better community? It’s easy to criticize when you don’t have all the facts.
if I would have known I was a .09 I would never have driven. But then you would never have driven knowingly either. Right? Because NOBODY has ever done that except corrupt politicians. (EDITOR’S NOTE: The Landmark does not condone operating a motor vehicle under any form of intoxication.)
You will be receiving a nice little ethics violation complaint of your very own Mr high and mighty. You think you didn’t make some mistakes in your reporting? Or perhaps they were intentional. Let’s let the MEC decide this one. (EDITOR’S NOTE: Nan is threatening this citizen with a Missouri Ethics Commission (MEC) investigation. The MEC is the state agency charged with upholding and investigating violations of the state’s ethics laws for elected officials and those seeking elected office.)
Let those without sin cast the first stone. (EDITOR’S NOTE: Mayor Johnston was recently investigated by the MEC and found guilty of multiple ethics violations during her 2019 re-election campaign including concealing donors and expenses. See the related Landmark story)
Sent from my iPhone
From: Weston Coble [A citizen of Parkville]
Date: Sep 27, 2020, at 6:51 PM
To: [Parkville Elected Officials]
Subject: Mayor should step down
Dear elected officials of the City of Parkville.
Nanette Johnston has now shown multiple instances of poor and/or reckless behavior or judgement while serving as a public servant of the City of Parkville.
A recent example of Johnston’s disregard was her skirting of Missouri’s campaign finance laws in 2019 when she failed to disclose multiple campaign contributions even though she was no novice. She was even so bold as to lie directly to the media following allegations that were later found to be true despite her insistence. (EDITOR’S NOTE: See the related Landmark story)
In mid to late June of this year Johnston showed little regard for the board, let alone the citizens of Parkville, when she and Philip Wassmer alone decided to have city staff remove historical plaques in the downtown area. This was done with no open discussion with the citizens, even prompting Tina Welch to email “ In the future it would be nice to be informed of these decisions so we are aware when we get phone calls and emails“.
The DUI on September 26th has to be the final straw. According to Parkville’s Own code of ethics in chapter 107 of the municipal code – “ Public officials and employees are agents of public purpose and hold office for the benefit of the public” and “ Their conduct in both their official and private affairs should be above reproach”. (EDITOR’S NOTE: See the related Landmark story)
Now the Board of Alderman must decide wether Johnston should continue to serve as mayor, or has she lost the support and trust of the citizens, and board for that matter, she is suppose to represent. I know she has lost my support. I would hope Johnston does the proper thing and offers to step down from all city affiliated positions and let the city distance itself from these issues and distractions.
Ward One, City of Parkville resident,
Weston E. Coble.