Don't go pointing fingers without all of the facts!

We received a great commentary from one of our most ìgentlemanlyî readers, Roland Durden, which appears on page 5 of this issue... As he observes, no matter what story you hear from another person, news reports on TV or in print, usually, the ìwhole storyî isnít told... And sometimes, perhaps, certain questions are not asked, because we arenít sure we want to hear the answers to them...

I think its partly human nature to be inspired to share certain things with certain people, and other things with other people, and I donít think most people do so in a pre-planned manner... we just go with the moment or what feels right. Regarding issues of a serious nature, it is too easy for people to assume they have the ìwhole story,î or to take rumor as fact and when doing so- can provoke dangerous situations and potential consequences.

Regarding Fountainís latest controversy- involving the police chief being placed on paid administrative leave last week- we have seen and heard a lot- including comments from some who sure seem to think they know it all!!!

Some have blindly rallied around the side of ìthe issueî they feel is the right side... and yet, only a rare few have the whole story! (And they are prohibited from speaking about the reason for the actions.) Surely, there are some joining the ìsave the Chiefî cause who call him boss and feel loyal to their leader. This is almost expected and in some ways (with some individuals) can be admirable. Others who the chief has supported in previous efforts have been heard from- perhaps out of a sense of debt or friendship. And yet others have gone as far as suggesting that its all the fault of..... (fill in the blank with any of the following: the mayor- who mind you is one member of a 7-person city council that does NOT take action on personnel matters), other members of the city council, the city manager ëbecause he is too new;í other city staff, certain citizens, and yes, we were told one blog said our news staff was involved.)

Need I remind these folks that no ONE person has the power to bring about what has happened. (Well, actually, one person does- and that is the chief himself.) After all, it was an action (or lack thereof) on the chiefís part that would have prompted the city manager (the only person with the authority to place the chief on leave) to do so. This after receiving expert legal advise on the issue at hand...

Perhaps this is a good time to remind citizens that by majority vote, we the people elected our present city council. In doing so we placed our trust in these chosen leaders to act on our behalf. We placed our trust in their combined wisdom and experience to see it that what is right and proper takes place, within the limits of their powers, on our behalf.

This same city council (or most all of them) were in place when our new City Manager Scott Trainor was interviewed, introduced to the public and then hired. At that time, no one cried out, ìwe didnít want you to pick him.î No one asked ìDoes he have enough previous experience.î I would think this indicated to the city council that we the citizens were fine with and trusted their decision in hiring Mr. Trainor.

Yet now, after having taken this action to place the chief of police on paid administrative leave, we hear rumblings of, ìthe city manager is too new,î or ìthe city manager is just being pushed around or buckling under to the pressure of the mayor and/or the city council.... ì

Are such accusations fair? I think NOT!

People, do you not think that if the city council, after having received expert advice on the issues at hand, disagreed with the City Managerís actions, they would be up in arms themselves? They have the power to hire and fire the city manager. Clearly, the council must support the city managerís actions or they would be protesting themselves!

To those who have taken on a ìmob mentalityî toward the city manager, mayor, other councilmembers, citizens, etc. I hope you realize your actions do nothing good for our town. To you, I ask, how can you be so quick to point fingers and accuse others of things when you donít know all of the facts yourself??

Whatever happened, whatever the chief ìdidî or ìdidnít doî to prompt this course of action is right up there with the mysteries of the universe right now... we all want to know, but legally, that is not something we are privy to at this time. So before you all get your own little civil war unfolding here, why not take a step back. Wait for the truth (though Iím not sure if it can or will ever come out- but we can hope!!!) And give the persons involved the opportunity to work this out based on fact, not fiction...

In the mean time I will continue to hope and pray for a peaceful resolution.

PATTY'S ARCHIVES
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