Opinion ID: 171452
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Whether Mr. Thomas's Speech Was A Matter of Public Concern

Text: Having concluded that Mr. Thomas's speech was not made pursuant to his official duties, we must still consider whether Mr. Thomas's speech was on a matter of public concern, whether it was the cause of his termination, and whether the employer's interest in regulating the speech was greater than Mr. Thomas's interest in making it. We believe that these matters can be dealt with summarily. The former question we consider as a matter of law. The district court did not reach whether Mr. Thomas's speech was a matter of public concern, because it was found to be pursuant to his official duties. The City, Mr. Edwards, and Mr. Ketchum do not argue that Mr. Thomas's speech was not a matter of public concern, except indirectly: they say it was pursuant to his employment, and therefore could not be a matter of public concern. Admitting that he raises this issue for the first time in this appeal, Mr. Sacchieri contends that Mr. Thomas's speech was not a matter of public concern because there was no criminal conduct by Mr. Sacchieri, only personal grievances. But regardless of whether there was criminal conduct, the idea that the mayorwho was also a buildermight have pulled strings to secure approval of a house that had not yet passed its final inspection seems quintessentially a matter of public concern. Certainly if we found in Casey that a report of the School Board's violation of the Open Meetings Act was a matter of public concern, then speech about possible illegality or pressure by the mayor would count as well.