Tag: James Freed

Supreme Court Rules Gov Officials Can Block Constituents from Their Social Media Pages in Certain Situations

Michigan Star Staff
James Freed

The Supreme Court unanimously ruled Friday that there are circumstances when government officials can permissibly block a constituent from their social media pages, provided they are not claiming to speak on the state’s behalf.

The case, Lindke v. Freed, stemmed from Port Huron, Michigan, resident Kevin Lindke’s First Amendment lawsuit against city manager James Freed, who blocked Lindke from his Facebook page over comments criticizing the city’s response to COVID-19. While officials may look like they are “always on the clock,” not every encounter is “part of the job,” Justice Amy Coney Barrett wrote in the opinion of the court.

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Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration Fined Port Huron $6,300 over a ‘General Feeling,’ City Manager Says

The Center Square

House Oversight Committee testimony accused the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) of needlessly fining the city of Port Huron $6,300 on Aug. 3, 2020, claiming the penalty was based on little more than a “general feeling.”

Port Huron paid between $15,000 to $20,000 to fight a “meritless” MIOSHA fine that at one time could have cost just $3,000, City Manager James Freed said. Despite the city spending more than $150,000 on cleaning and a “comprehensive” COVID plan, MIOSHA still fined them.

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