2020-020 - Censuring Council Member Benny Plata for Engaging in Conduct Prejudicial to the Government of the CityRESOLUTION 2020-020
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS,
CENSURING COUNCIL MEMBER BENNY PLATA PURSUANT TO SECTION
2-302OF THE CODE OF ETHICS AND CONDUCT FOR CITY COUNCIL,
EMPLOYEES, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES, FOR
ENGAGING IN CONDUCT PREJUDICIAL TO THE GOVERNMENT OF THE
CITY OR THAT REFLECTS DISCREDIT UPON THE GOVERNMENT OF THE
CITY
WHEREAS, on or about Monday, May 25, 2020, George Floyd, an African American
man,, died while in police custody in Minneapolis, Minnesota, which death has been
subsequently ruled as a homicide; and
WHEREAS, since that time, there have been protests nationwide, including a peaceful
protest in Paris, Texas on Saturday, May 3 0, 2 0 2 0; and
WHEREAS, Council Member Benny Plata, District 3, has posted a comment on social
media in response to a post on the George Floyd situation and the ensuing protests to wit:
"Why don'ty ou leave America if it's so bad"; and
WHEREAS, the Mr. Plata's statement violates the Code of Ethics and Conduct for City
Council,, Employees,, Boards, Commissions and Committees as contained in Chapter 2, Article
IX of the City of Paris, Texas Code of Ordinances, to wit: Sec. 2-303, "Standards of Conduct,"
subsection (a)(10), which provides that no council member shall knowingly engage in any
It
conduct prejudicial to the government of the city or that reflects discredit upon the
government of the city; and
WHEREAS, Sect. 2-302 provides that a city council member who has violated the
Code of Ethics shall be subject to admonishment or censure by the City Council; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that Council Member Plata's statement is
inappropriate and divisive and in noway reflects the opinions or policies of the City Council
or of the City of Paris, and that Council Member Plata should be censured for his conduct in
making the social media comment, particularly at a time of social and political crisis in our
country;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
PARIS, TEXAS:
RESOLUTION OF CENSURE
Section 1. That the findings set out in the preamble to this resolution are herebyl"n
all things approved.
Section 2. That Council Member Benny Plata's social media comment in response to
a post concerning George Floyd's death and the ensuing social and political unrest that "Why
don't you leave America if it's so bad," is inappropriate and divisive and violates the Code of
Ethnics and Conduct for City Council, Employees, Boards,, Commissions and Committees as
contained in Chapter 2, Article IX of the City of Paries., Texas Code of Ordinances, to wit: Sec.
2-303, "Standards of Conduct," subsection (a) (10), which provides that no council member
shall knowingly engage in any conduct prejudicial to the government of the city or that
reflects discredit upon the government of the city.
Section 3. That Council Member Plata's social media post in no way reflects the
views, opinions or policies of the City Council or of the City of Paris, and that no American
citizen should ever be told to leave the country because he or she has expressed an opinion
as to social or political conditions that exist herein.
Section 4. That pursuant to Sec. 2-302 of said Code of Ethics, the City Council hereby
censures Council Member Benny Plata for said comment on social media, for the reasons
stated herein above.
PASSED AND APPROVED THIS 2nd day of June, 2020.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Stephanie H. Harris, City Attorney
Stev
:D., Mayor