Santa Rosa Councilman Under Scrutiny For Cursing At Bus Driver In Incident Caught On Video
SANTA ROSA (KPIX 5) – A Santa Rosa City Councilmember is under scrutiny following a confrontation with a bus driver that was caught on camera earlier this year.
The heated exchange took place in June between Councilman Gary Wysocky and the driver of a paratransit bus.
KPIX 5 obtained surveillance video from the Santa Rosa Press Democrat. Wysocky, who was on his bicycle, directed several profanities at the driver.
"Sure, I wish I hadn't used profanity. But we're all human," Wysocky told KPIX 5.
The councilmember said he is not sorry that he confronted the contracted driver. "I was not wrong for pointing out unprofessional and unsafe operation of a commercial vehicle, no sir," he said.
The video showed the councilman riding his bicycle when the bus pulled into a turn lane ahead of him. Wysocky said the bus got too close. "Close enough for me to feel in danger," he said.
When they came to a stop at an intersection, the councilman approached the driver.
Wysocky: "I don't know if you realize how close you were to me."
Driver: "Do you realize that you're over the white line?"
Wysocky: "It's my f------ life, dude."
Driver: "I know that, sir. I think you ought to stay inside the line."
Wysocky: "You shut the f--- up."
Mayor Scott Barley said, "I don't think it's appropriate as an elected to be throwing that kind of language out."
The Santa Rosa mayor said he's not surprised. In fact, the city had recently censured Wysocky for abusive behavior toward employees.
"Mr. Wysocky frequently crosses the line with his interactions with members our staff," Bartley said.
Wysocky said, "I think the censure was purely a political act."