Free Speech, Loyalty and the Times Horrid

8/25/08

By Alun Whittaker

It is sad that City Manager Tanner has found it necessary to formally remind his employees that official statements about bankruptcy must only come from the authorized city spokesperson, JoAnn West.

It is really sad that, at this difficult time, city employees need to be reminded that they owe some kind of loyalty to the city that so well provides for their living and retirement.

It is heartbreaking that, when the press in general have dealt fairly and objectively with the bankruptcy issue, our local newspaper has consistently encouraged disgruntled city employees to make false, misleading, and slanted statements, and to publish them in screaming, front page headlines. Not until days later, if ever, do retractions or corrections appear buried deep in the paper.