The city council was upset by the decision to allow the HBO Max program “We’re Here” to use public space to film an episode.
, who travel to towns and cities in conservative areas of the country. Each episode concludes with a public drag show featuring residents recruited by the show’s stars.
“I’ve watched the show now, and those shows are definitely not family-friendly. Do we not have any legal obligation to protect children as this is city property?” Tanner wrote in a May 27 text message to other council members. “We will only have a public meeting if the council wants to revoke the permit,” Randall replied. ”Something is fishy as hell about how this went down,” Tanner texted back.
“I realize allowing this event to take place on City property may generate criticism from some members of our community. This is a tough spot to be in. Regardless, I believe they have a First Amendment right to use Town Square and to deny them would be discriminatory. I cannot knowingly act in a way that could bring liability to our organization, nor can I ask my staff to do it,” Lenhard wrote.
“Remember, they have their freedom of speech as well, but we want to ensure a safe venue for the event,” Captain Curtis Spragg wrote on May 31.On the day of the show, St. George police alerted leaders of other city departments about an anonymous message that implied violence was possible. Production of the show in and around St. George took place as scheduled, but there were a few hiccups. On May 28, the cast and crew were filming near the splash pad on Main Street. That prompted at least one call to law enforcement that left Police Chief Kyle Whitehead scratching his head.
“HBO had lawyered up, and they were ready to take us to court if the permit was denied. Their attorney was actually at our city council meeting the Thursday night before the show. We would have lost the lawsuit. A public entity cannot discriminate against anyone renting our facilities based on content,” Randall wrote.
“I emphatically state that I have nothing to do with it. There are references to my employment throughout, including mentions of closed meetings and the We’re Here permit. I have and will continue to maintain the confidentiality of those conversations,” Lenhard wrote.Mayor Randall replied in an email to Lenhard that she believed him.That hasty decision to push Lenhard out has come at a cost to the city and its taxpayers.
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