"Neighborhood Watch" email shouldn't contain personal opinions

As I stated publicly at last weekís council meeting (regarding the rally held in front of City Hall supporting Fountain Police Chief Charles Crawford who had been placed on paid administrative leave one week prior) I fully support everyoneís right to freedom of speech and freedom of expression. Whether or not I agree with anotherís view, I am willing to listen and respect their right to state their opinion.

Unfortunately, sometimes- be in intentional or not- some choose to pass on their own opinions as ìofficial word,î or what might be taken by some to be official business...

After reading my column last week,a concerned reader shared the following email (in bold text below), with me that she had received prior to Tuesdayís rally and meeting. She was naturally shocked and alarmed that any Neighborhood Watch coordinator would use her email list (of possibly hundreds of residents) to send out such negative and unsubstantiated comments.

Note: In preserving the exact wording of the message, I am leaving grammatical errors as they were written...

Subject: Question for Block Captains

Hi Everyone, If you havenít been watching the News or reading the Newspaper this could be big news for you. The City of Fountain Mayor has been having personal issues with the Fountain PD Police chief and is trying to use the abuse of power through office to retaliate against the Police Chief, claiming other reasons behind the police chief being put on leave with pay. The Press has been reporting on this over the past week or so.

Considering how wonder the PD has been for our community I would like to know if any of you would be interested in putting Support your Fountain Police Department signs up in your yard, wearing T-shirts, and attending the City of Fountain City Counsel meeting This coming Tuesday at 6 pm in front of the City Hall building where we pay our utilities at. I think this is just a small way to show our police department how much we appreciate their service and willingness to give there lives if need be to protect our safety and that of our community.

Of course, upon reading it, I, too was shocked- considering only a rare few know the true reason why Chief Crawford was placed on administrative leave (and he doesnít seem to be coming forward to disclose whatever it is or defend himself publicly!) The author takes it upon herself to be judge and jury and convict the mayor. While I donít agree with making such assumptions and/or accusations so casually, at least I might have understood it better had this been only a personal email. But it wasnít it. It was sent out under the guise or umbrella of being a Neighborhood Watch mailing. If it was a mistake, why wasnít it followed by a retraction/clarification or disclaimer??

I did contact her asking where she got her information or what she was basing her statements about Mayor Howells on. Her response was lengthy, but regarding my question she wrote ìI have attended functions where I have heard something from both sides regarding this situation, and honestly I have to follow my heart and do what I believe is right for this community. Iím sorry I cannot provide you with more information, because I do not remember all the people I converse with due to the many different volunteer activities I am involved in.

The author then stated that future contact be made through her personal email only as she was not ìwearing her coordinator hat regarding this sutation.. She wrote, ìInstead I am a concerned citizen of the City of Fountain, and believe things arenít being handled properly for the citizens of my community or the city. :

Too bad that disclaimer didnít appear in the original email.

While I donít doubt this womanís sincerity in her support of the police department and her concern for her community, I did have to wonder if she had been duped by someone, (or so I could hope, at a minimum.)

The Neighborhood Watch effort represents security, safety and trust., and the citizens in this neighborhood deserve that in all of the correspondence they receive in such an official capacity!

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