Fostoria Councilwoman Mendoza Launches ‘Convos With Council’ for Public Engagement

FOSTORIA – Amy Mendoza, Ward 1 councilwoman and public affairs committee chair, has maintained communication with the public via social media. Currently, Mendoza is the only member of Fostoria City Government actively engaging with people on Facebook.

The launch of a quarterly informal meeting with council members is a major step forward in ensuring accountability.

Amy Mendoza was unanimously appointed to serve a 4-year term as the Ward 1 city councilperson commencing January 2022.

She has lived in Fostoria her entire adulthood. Amy married her high school sweetheart and together, they have raised their family here. The majority of both their extended families live in Fostoria as well. Councilperson Mendoza has lived in Ward 1 since 2007 and has no intentions of ever moving. Fostoria is her home.

Amy works full-time as the Youth Defense Administrator/Intake Specialist at Hancock County Public Defender’s Office where she has been employed for the past 13 years. She helps indigent clients who are often facing difficult situations with emotional outcomes through empathy, caring, and leading.

Amy has a Notary Public Commission and received a Certificate for Administration and Certificate of Completion for Workforce and Community Services through Owens Community College. She is a 2023 graduate of Hancock County Leadership, 2024 graduate of Leadership Seneca County, and active Staying Ahead Mentor.

Councilperson Mendoza is passionate about her community and helping our town continue on the path for a more prosperous future, which she is very excited about.

FOSTORIA: Evergreen Poplar LLC / Poplar Village Refuses to Correct Standing Raw Sewage

SPLASH PAD: Fostoria Vision 2020 Inc. Concealing Financial Information

Fostoria Vision 2020 Inc. rejects public records request for financial information, claims records don’t exist.

Broken Promises & Hidden Financials: Splash Pad, Fostoria Vision 2020, Parks & Rec, Airport

During the May 21st Fostoria City Council meeting, concerned citizen & business owner Jill Filliator raises concerns about financial transparency.

-Fostoria under-budgeted the splash pad by nearly 100%

-Fostoria Vision 2020 Inc. refused to provide financial public records.

-Fostoria chooses to create a board for the municipal airport but ignores lack of  a parks & rec board.

 

 

The City of Fostoria’s Un-Documented Partnership with Scanner Media: A Conflict of Interest and a Risk to Public Trust

PROBE: Fostoria Volunteer Performing Duties of City Public Relations Officer

Date: Thu, 16 May 2024 14:15:04 -0400
Subject: Clarification Needed: Volunteer Performing Duties of City Public Relations Officer
From: The Fostoria Free Press <thefostoriafreepress@gmail.com>
To: "FostoriacouncilmanShaver@gmail.com" <FostoriacouncilmanShaver@gmail.com>, lawdirector@fostoriaohio.gov
Cc: mayor@fostoriaohio.gov

Hi Stephanie & Mr Shaver,

I have found the following to be true:

1. Zach/Scanner Media is performing some of the normal duties of a city
public relations officer.

2. There are *no* clear and official/written duties for Zach.

3. The volunteer runs a news & media website and has 30,000 Facebook
followers, and 11K YouTube followers.

4. The volunteer has access to the City YouTube Account

5. The volunteer profits from "Scanner Media"s YouTube account. (seeattached)

6. The volunteer=E2=80=99s public duties benefits the online image of Scanner Media.

7. The volunteer is receiving special treatment as a media company- with
camera angle privileges during meetings that other reporters do not
receive.

8. The volunteer discriminated against interviewing mayoral candidate
Shaffer prior to the last election.

   A. What date Will the city go on record that Zach begin conducting
duties for the city?

       1. If he was acting on behalf of the city for anything during
election season- It is my understanding that there are potential civil
rights violations. This is in regards to choosing to only interview the
current mayor and not his candidate.



Has the city discussed the potential risks that this situation poses to the
City of Fostoria?  Why is the City maintaining a relationship that poses a
clear conflict of interest?  Is Zach subjected to Public Record requests?

Considering the lack of written duties there is 0% transparency on the
relationship between the City & Scanner Media/Zach. There are also no
official guidelines delineating the boundaries of duties.

 I would like to request at a bare *minimum *that a document is created to
clarify in detail: duties, responsibilities, and admin access privileges
for City online accounts.

Before retaining an attorney I am reaching out to give the City an
opportunity to thoroughly examine all risks & declare all conflicts of
interest in written form.

Respectfully,

Anonymous.

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Mennel & Keckler Fall Short on Boasted ‘Idea’ – City of Fostoria Raises $1.1 Mil in Donations & Pledges Without First Collecting Any Construction Bids