The Cypress City Council has again voted to approve a censure resolution against Cypress Councilmember Frances Marquez after they claimed a visit to Cypress High school was a violation of the city’s civility, conduct and governance code.
“Rather than educate students about their city government, “Council Member Marquez used her office to subject students to campaign pitches and inappropriate requests for political support,” said Mayor Paulo Morales who supported the censure.
Notably the second censure Marquez has received since June, the resolution was facilitated in a 4-1 vote during the regular council meeting on Sept. 26, resulting in Marquez’s salary and stipend suspension for the remainder of the year.
In addition, the censure called for Marquez to issue a formal apology to the Anaheim Union High School District and Cypress High School and revoke her appointments to the Orange County Council of Governments General Assembly, the Southern California Association of Governments General Assembly, and the City of Cypress Veteran Recognition Ad Hoc Subcommittee.
“Weeks of complaints” from parents accusing Marquez of indoctrination and unethical campaign practices reportedly drove the city into action for censure, said the city in a press release issued almost immediately by a PR firm hired by the city.
The complaints stemmed from a two-day presentation series last month involving Marquez and two candidates running for positions in Cypress—Helen Le, for Cypress City Council and Troy Tanaka, for Cypress School Board.
Speaking to senior students enrolled in government class, the purpose of the visit was to benefit the students by fostering civic engagement and community service–two objectives which were agreed upon by the school beforehand.
Accordingly, in an effort to engage students, Marquez said she spoke candidly to classrooms about issues going on within the city while simultaneously proposing an opportunity for community service via campaign volunteering.
Yet, Cypress resident and parent Brittany Cook believes that although young people “have the right” to know what is going on with local politics, the classroom is not “the place” for such discussions to be held.
“As a parent, if my child is not eighteen, then that is no one’s job but me,” said Cook in respone to Marquez informing students on local government matters.
Additionally, city officials say it was a violation of her position to use public resources for campaigning.
Based on reports, the campaign material was passed out by candidates to allow students to create their own opinion on whether to volunteer before signing up.
“Students and parents reported that Council Member Marquez and the candidates handed out campaign flyers and cards promoting the candidates, asked students to take the cards home and discuss them with their parents, to not throw them away because they were expensive,