The Shame of It All

Right Here. In our beautiful community of St. George, I have come to feel the shame that many of us are sharing with what is taking place in the greater USA. 

I am not referring to the most recent despicable act our Federal Government has taken; a slap in the face delivered to Our American Veterans… The lack of respect to our fallen soldiers… It is enough to bring tears to the eyes of those of us who love our country and the Principals for which, It stands. 

Regretfully I am referring to the growing evidence and/or sequence of current events which reflects the Character of Our Municipal Government.

 1.  The alleged acts occurring at the St. George Animal Shelter revealed that the investigation conducted by our police department came to an end as the allegations of inappropriate or possible criminal behavior could not be substantiated by witness statements… as those seeking justice were made to feel threatened or coerced by the insensitive statements of an elected city official.  This in and of itself is insufficient to cause a feeling, or to concluded poor or shameful behavior on the part of municipal authority as a whole.

 The acts occurring were compounded by continued hints that potential witnesses to reported allegations had caused city employees or volunteers who may have witnessed acts under investigation not to come forward, but instead elected to remain silent for fear of reprisals or loss of their jobs. 

2.  The allegations of violation of 4^th Amendments Rights. The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated. 

The questionable behavior alleged to have taken place by municipal authority ( Code Enforcement Officers) acting and following practices approved and authorized by those empowered to represent City Government cannot but bring attention and raise concern to City Government behavior with the recently reported threat of a class action suit to be filed against the city in which citizens were alleged to have been fined inappropriately and experienced a repressive behavior allegedly caused at the hands of City Government.

The benefit of doubt remains... as being incomprehensible, that OUR CITY Government has been given to malpractice or misconduct in governing and has given a free hand to those hired to supervise city employee behavior. 

In the interest of justice and fair play the benefit of doubt is given to City Government as personal emotions and just plain misunderstanding of motives may have a bearing on reported issues.

The SHAME OF IT ALL is manifested in item number three which tends to substantiate a pattern of behavior which is abhorrent to the American Public and most importantly the Citizens of St. George.

3.  The First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America. Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or PROHIBITING THE FREEDOM OF SPEECH, OR OF THE PRESS.

That the Assistant to the City Manager has taken it upon himself to write the following to a member of the Press…..without explicit authorization from the highest authority within City Government is thought to be unthinkable if not unbelievable.

On October 27, 2013 at 4:05 P.M. the following email was sent to a member of the Press.

“I was reading the Senior Sampler date September 27, 2013 and came across the article, News from City Chambers by Ed Baca."

“I don’t have a concern with the article itself but I do feel that the title is misleading. It sounds as if the article is an official piece of information produced by the city which it is not”.

“Please consider changing the title to better reflect the information”.

Had the Assistant to the City Manager stopped here, perhaps, even during this current city council general election which is now in progress could be understood and explained away.

However, he did not stop.  Instead, censorship was exercised as he continued to write.

“Please consider changing the title to better reflect the information. If you would like something official from the City on golf or any other topic please just ask me”.

The writer has crossed the line, infringing on Freedom of The Press.  But, he did not stop. He continued.

“If you prefer to just cut and paste from a legal city contract or agreement and call it an article I can do that as well”.

In other words Government will provide material you can print. And if this were not enough censorship and coercion he continued to write.

“These public documents are available to anyone who requests them and if a number of people are interested in reading them through your publication I would be happy to assist."

It was signed, Marc M. Mortensen, Manager of Support Services. The city logo was affixed to the bottom of the page.

I find it reprehensible that a representative of City Government would on city time endeavor to apply undue influence as to what and how a Free Press presents news in an apparent effort to direct the outcome of an upcoming election.

Clearly a pattern of behavior outlined in three specific incidents cannot be ignored and one can only regretfully conclude that all indications are that we as citizens of St. George have been shamed by the behavior of our City Government.  Intimidation, violation of Constitutional Rights cannot be condoned or tolerated.

It is with great sorrow that I have found it necessary to bring these matters to light. 

-Ed