When the Lathrop City Council closed out its monthly business meeting last week, it started as a touching tribute to a community member that had been active in local politics before falling ill and suddenly passing away.

But comments made by Lathrop Councilman Paul Akinjo – who seeks to be Lathrop’s next mayor now that six-term incumbent Sonny Dhaliwal is walking away from the post – at the conclusion of the meeting has rattled some in the community who have called for accountability.

Shortly after new Lathrop Vice Mayor Minnie Diallo spoke about the passing of Christina Laughlin – who ran unsuccessfully for Akinjo’s seat in the 2022 election, and had previously run for the Manteca Unified Board of Education – and made the recommendation for approval of the installation of a bench and a tree in her honor at Crescent Park, Akinjo delivered comments that sparked outrage and fury on social media.

After opening by saying that people shouldn’t “talk ill of the dead,” Akinjo said that Laughlin served to keep the council “on their toes” and that claims about her contributing “good community service” were “debatable” – something that prompted Diallo to get up from the lectern and leave the meeting prior to its conclusion.

In addition to remaining vocal inside of the council chambers on a variety of subjects including the transition to the Lathrop Police Department, the safety of students on their way to and from Lathrop’s schools, and the decision to build light industrial complexes in the vicinity of students and schools, Laughlin also contributed to the community through grassroots efforts to do things like provide backpacks and school supplies to students and similar undertakings that helped people in the community that needed it.

Shortly after steering the meeting back on track following Akinjo’s comments, Dhaliwal adjourned the meeting in Laughlin’s memory.

“Rest in peace, Christina — you will be missed,” Dhaliwal said.

A candlelight vigil is planned for Saturday, Jan. 20, at 6 p.m. at Crescent Park – located in the Mossdale neighborhood that Laughlin championed at the intersection of Crescent Park Circle and McKee Boulevard.