Dear Editor,

Councilmember Jason Nguyen’s apology tour is nothing more than empty words, and his time in public service must come to an end. The newly elected Grand Junction City Council must make it clear that divisive ideology and an “us vs. them” mentality have no place in our community. Comments like his are rooted in personal belief. Are we really expected to believe he’s sorry for what he said or just sorry it became public?

We should be advocating for our local small businesses, not rallying against them.

The recent comments attributed to Councilmember Nguyen, as reported by The Business Times and shared in a private Facebook group, are unacceptable for any public official. His call to “make a list” or “retaliation” of businesses that opposed a city project and his suggestion of a boycott amount to economic retaliation. This wasn’t a misstatement or a misunderstood remark; it was deliberate, divisive and dangerous. Even if we accept that Nguyen spoke out of emotion, we must ask ourselves: Do we want someone shaping policy in Grand Junction who cannot manage their emotions, or someone who can engage with the community as a responsible, mature adult?

This kind of rhetoric erodes public trust and undermines the principles of open, inclusive governance. Councilmember Nguyen may claim the comment was made in a private capacity, with 900 members I might add, but elected officials don’t get to choose when they represent the public. His words carry the weight of his office, and using that platform to punish dissent is a clear abuse of that responsibility.

As someone who serves on multiple boards and committees in this community, I know firsthand that respectful civic dialogue and economic fairness are the cornerstones of effective public service. Councilmember Nguyen’s actions fall far short of that standard and risk turning legitimate civic discourse into harmful political division.

Public office is a duty to represent all citizens – not just those who share your views. Encouraging boycotts against local businesses for expressing their opinions sends a chilling message and undermines the very foundation of democracy.

This isn’t personal. It’s about having the right leadership in Grand Junction. Nguyen may not be a bad person, but his words revealed beliefs that don’t align with the responsibilities of his office. His vague apology doesn’t repair the damage or rebuild trust.

For the health of our community and the integrity of our city government, Councilmember Nguyen must resign.

– Shannon Secrest, Grand Junction