1. Campaign Rhetoric Rooted in Division (2020)
During her initial campaign, Councilmember Tillman made a series of inflammatory and unsubstantiated claims about our town and its residents, including:
* Labeling Clayton a racist community.
* Accusing the police department of racial profiling.
* Claiming people of color were afraid to leave their homes at night.
* Calling Clayton a “sundown town,” a historically charged and offensive accusation.
These claims were not backed by any credible evidence. Yet in 2024, ahead of her re-election campaign, she quietly scrubbed her website of those divisive statements, rebranding herself with a friendlier tone and even seeking endorsement from the very police department she once accused of systemic racism.
2. Baseless Public Attacks on Colleagues and Staff
Once elected, Councilmember Tillman continued this combative approach, launching repeated attacks against fellow councilmembers and city employees:
* Accusing the police department of racial profiling.
* Claiming people of color were afraid to leave their homes at night.
* Calling Clayton a “sundown town,” a historically charged and offensive accusation.
These claims were not backed by any credible evidence. Yet in 2024, ahead of her re-election campaign, she quietly scrubbed her website of those divisive statements, rebranding herself with a friendlier tone and even seeking endorsement from the very police department she once accused of systemic racism.
2. Baseless Public Attacks on Colleagues and Staff
Once elected, Councilmember Tillman continued this combative approach, launching repeated attacks against fellow councilmembers and city employees:
* Accused Councilmember Jeff Wan of misogyny.
* Claimed Councilmember Jim Diaz violated the Brown Act.
* Called a city finance consultant a liar and accused him of collusion with Councilmember Wan.
* Falsely accused Kim Trupiano’s husband of improper involvement in fee discussions during a public meeting.
* Alleged secret political deals with Oakhurst Golf Course owners.
* Accused Council candidate Rich Enea of Brown Act violations while votes were still being counted.
These attacks have rarely, if ever, been supported by evidence and often appear designed to damage reputations rather than uncover the truth.
3. A Habit of Calling for Investigations - Without Credible Evidence
Councilmember Tillman has repeatedly demanded investigations into colleagues, staff, and community members, yet many of these demands lack any clear basis or resolution. The result: strained relationships, wasted resources, and distracted leadership.
4. A Climate of Toxicity and Dysfunction
The pattern is clear: one accusation after another, creating division, chaos, and distrust. Instead of focusing on solutions for Clayton’s future, Councilmember Tillman has consistently drawn attention to herself through conflict, not collaboration.
Clayton Deserves Better
Leadership should be built on facts, fairness, and respect, not on reckless claims, personal vendettas, and revisionist branding. If Councilmember Tillman is unwilling or unable to lead with integrity and unity, she should resign for the good of our city.
Clayton’s future is too important to be held hostage by political games and personal grudges.
* Claimed Councilmember Jim Diaz violated the Brown Act.
* Called a city finance consultant a liar and accused him of collusion with Councilmember Wan.
* Falsely accused Kim Trupiano’s husband of improper involvement in fee discussions during a public meeting.
* Alleged secret political deals with Oakhurst Golf Course owners.
* Accused Council candidate Rich Enea of Brown Act violations while votes were still being counted.
These attacks have rarely, if ever, been supported by evidence and often appear designed to damage reputations rather than uncover the truth.
3. A Habit of Calling for Investigations - Without Credible Evidence
Councilmember Tillman has repeatedly demanded investigations into colleagues, staff, and community members, yet many of these demands lack any clear basis or resolution. The result: strained relationships, wasted resources, and distracted leadership.
4. A Climate of Toxicity and Dysfunction
The pattern is clear: one accusation after another, creating division, chaos, and distrust. Instead of focusing on solutions for Clayton’s future, Councilmember Tillman has consistently drawn attention to herself through conflict, not collaboration.
Clayton Deserves Better
Leadership should be built on facts, fairness, and respect, not on reckless claims, personal vendettas, and revisionist branding. If Councilmember Tillman is unwilling or unable to lead with integrity and unity, she should resign for the good of our city.
Clayton’s future is too important to be held hostage by political games and personal grudges.
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