Ian Warner claims arbitration is "open to the public." This is a false statement since nothing in the SPMA contract, nor in the legislation that would accept that contract, states this. Further, SPMA specified procedures for arbitration specifically state that the "arbitrator.. shall maintain the privacy of the hearing" (Google "American Arbitration Association Labor Arbitration Rules").

Warner also falsely claims an equivalence between arbitration and a City commission process, since commissioners can have a single hearing examiner adjudicate a particular appeal. This is absurd, since as citizens we would expect serious disciplinary cases to be heard by all commissioners, commissioners who are members of our community and answerable to us for their decisions.

Given the secrecy and rush to accept the SPMA contract, the above misinformation and misdirection coming from Warner and the Mayor's office is all the more concerning, and an additional reason to delay any City Council votes.