Vice-Mayor Barrett and Councilmember Jones-Ivey Reveal Their Personal Experiences With Councilmember Solomon’s Uncivil Behavior

Statement from Councilmember Joyce Jones-Ivey
"The short video of Councilmember Solomon [verbally] attacking me has been circulating on social media and supporters have asked me to provide some background. First, this verbal assault was not a unique incident; rather it is representative of how Mr. Solomon speaks down to females he disagrees with or who dare to challenge his positions.

In my first meeting with Mr. Solomon at the 2018 Chamber of Commerce candidate debate, he verbally assaulted me and then candidate Melanie Barrett in front of several bystanders. It seems Mr. Solomon did not agree with our debate positions.

Council Member Jones-Ivey

In the video taken from a 2019 council meeting, we were discussing the OVPD Chief selection process when Member Solomon launched his attack to silence me. There have been numerous other situations when residents were talked down to and disrespected by Member Solomon who, in 2016, ran on civility and collaboration.

I agree that civility and collaboration is exactly what Oro Valley needs and the path to get there is to replace incumbents Rodman and Solomon with Bill Garner and Tim Bohen who will place residents first."

Statement from Vice-Mayor Melanie Barrett

Vice Mayor Barrett

"My fellow councilmember, Joyce Jones-Ivey, has shared her feelings on the video of Steve Solomon yelling at her. This is especially sad because it follows [his] theme of constantly falsely accusing other councilmembers and citizens that we don’t care about public safety.

Joyce is a long-time nurse and the wife of a long-time police officer. She and her family have spent their lives in public service, and she is a wonderful, kind, fair person whom I admire. It is inappropriate to yell at her and insinuate that others do not care about our community and their safety.

The first time I met Councilmember Solomon was at a debate, and as Councilmember Jones-Ivey mentions, he began yelling at both of us, and only stopped when a friend stepped in and offered to call security. Since then, he has regularly gone after me in council meetings and has violated the rules of order by which the council operates."

LOVE’s comment
That’s right, Steve Solomon’s behavior was so violent, that a bystander had to intervene and threaten to call security during the 2018 incident and Mayor Winfield had to threaten to have him removed from council chambers during the 2019 incident. Solomon is unfit for public office and needs to be voted out in the August 4th election.