Matt Tortorice Mayor of Margaret

Another “love letter” from my anonymous Fan Club found its way to me. I’ve read the new edition, and I’m pleased to report that my public education campaign may already be paying dividends. The original letter asked whether the City meets “GAP requirements.” In my answer to the seven questions, I explained that the term…

A handout circulated at the October 19 council meeting asking seven questions about Margaret’s finances and leadership. I wasn’t given a copy, but if someone has legitimate questions, I’m happy to provide them. Several concern subjects I have already addressed publicly. Others require an explanation of municipal accounting, project funding and the responsibilities of the…

I have been involved in Margaret politics for about six years now, and almost every day presents the same challenges: trying to find reason in emotion, logic in conflict and some way to keep moving forward when the system itself sometimes seems determined to make simple things difficult. Somewhere along the way, a new slogan…

Last night’s City Council meeting was difficult. But what happened during and after the meeting may say more about where we are as a city than anything that appeared on the agenda. During the work session, residents confronted members of the council directly about their actions. For much of that discussion, council members chose not…

Recent news reports have focused on Councilman Jonathan Ray’s conduct following a City Council meeting – and they should. But if the public’s attention stops with one councilman, the larger problem will escape accountability. What you see and hear in the video is not one elected official operating in complete isolation. Other members of the…

You Cannot Refuse the Email, the Device and the Packet-Then Claim Nobody Communicated I have tried more approaches than I can count to resolve the disagreements within this Council and prevent our City government from descending into the spectacle the public has witnessed. I tried reasonable solutions and, at times, solutions that required more patience…

The FY2027 proposed budget is about protecting the progress Margaret has made and making responsible decisions about what comes next. 2026 was a year of catching up. The City faced unexpected expenses and needs that, in my view, should have been addressed through better planning. We also had accumulated reserves. Those reserves give us an…

Transparency, Special Meetings and Margaret’s Financial Position I want to give everyone an update on what has happened over the last 24 hours, but I also want to put it into the larger context of where Margaret stands financially and where I believe our attention needs to be as we prepare the next City budget.…

The City of Margaret currently has a vacancy in the position of City Clerk. Before anything else is said about what comes next, I want to say thank you to Tabitha for the time she spent serving our city and helping keep City Hall moving forward. She stepped into an important role during a period…