There is usually an unwritten rule that elected officials, and their staff, don’t publicly attack fellow elected’s. The same rings true for government employees, who go through great lengths to conceal their identity, if they publicly disparage their employer and/or bosses colleagues. They provide information anonymously as to not jeopardize their employment. This courtesy appears to not be observed by the newly elected Compton District 1 Councilwoman’s liaison Andre (HubCityDre) Spicer.
Before Chambers was elected, she faced intense scrutiny over her appearance in the 2018 Compton Christmas Parade. Chambers appeared in the back of car, approved to be in the parade, and had banners announcing her upcoming council campaign on full view of parade attendees.
2UrbanGirls reported on a letter that was sent to Chambers boss, Asm. Mike Gipson, about her campaigning during the parade. It was well known that Gipson didn’t support Chambers campaign.
It was argued that Chambers is a resident and was well within her rights to campaign and didn’t need permission from her boss to participate. She was not scheduled to work the day of the parade.
Related: Compton Councilwoman Plays Dirty to Stay Elected
Over the weekend, Chambers liaison, Andre Spicer, uploaded a video that appeared to show him inside his liaison office inside of Compton City Hall. Former elected officials noted the portraits behind Spicer as works of artist Reginald Webster. Webster’s signature is featured on the lower right hand corner of the artwork depicting Queen Nefertiti.
The video was about Compton School Board Trustee Charles Davis, who was the subject of multiple sexual harassment complaints while serving as the Compton City Clerk. When the community expressed this was “old news” Spicer referred to Davis as a “sexual deviant who shouldn’t be around children”. Spicer also expressed that despite his position, he was a community member that has the right to speak his mind on issues.
Spicer went further to impose Davis’ face over the mugshot of R&B singer R. Kelly. Davis has never been alleged to behave inappropriately with minors.
This week’s regular Compton City Council agenda includes proposals submitted for providing communications and public relations services on behalf of the city.
The proposal submitted by Andre Spicer, on behalf of Hub Radio Station, includes his resume which shows he has never held a full-time job until becoming employed by Chambers in June despite her first day in office being the following month.
Most companies proposals included conflict of interest documents and verifiable business insurance that Spicer’s proposal lacked.
Is Spicer abusing his new position to publish videos, for his company, inside of city hall and are his actions sanctioned by Councilwoman Chambers?
His resume lists his liaison duties as “openly represent the City of Compton among public officials, businesses, news outlets, and the general public”.
Spicer argues the issue isn’t where his video was filmed, but the content of the video should be of concern to residents. Spicer doesn’t deny he used his city hall office to film this video in.
Spicer has been an integral part of the city of Compton and built his Hub Radio Station brand as voice of the community seeking to squash out quid pro quo and the abuse of power he stated existed in city hall under the leadership of former council members. He has also played an integral role in providing community events that promote positivity in the city.
Spicer’s radio show was also played an integral role in the election of Councilwoman Chambers which is how he got the job as her liaison.
The concern is was this video filmed by Spicer, inside his council office, during work hours? Normally Spicer posts these kinds of videos from his studios, located inside his business, with the Hub Radio Station banner behind him.
2UrbanGirls reached out to Compton School Board Trustee Charles Davis, who was the subject of Spicer’s video, who had no comment at this time.
Most employers, and the city of Compton, usually have policies in place, that employees sign, restricting them from using company resources for their personal and/or business use. It is also unclear if Spicer is accessing City Hall, after hours, to film his videos.
Board Trustee Davis has stated he will be at tomorrow’s council meeting to address this issue and it will be interesting how City Manager Craig Cornwell will respond to the matter.
Disclamer: due to possible legal issues surrounding the video in question, it will not be republished on this blog.
**update**
Spicer has uploaded photos of his actual office, which differ from the video. Residents continue to insist he was inside of city hall while filming. Stay tuned.
1 Comment
It will be more interesting if our new City Attorney has anything to say about this. He should!