The World editorial board managed to offend the almost 3,000 people who signed petitions to allow the voters to decide on a home rule charter next month. The paper blasts the initiative as a “foolhardy ballot measure” while at the same time supporting a hastily assembled governance ordinance that probably had its origins over a kitchen table with more than a few bottles of wine, has no implementation strategy, no fiscal impact analysis and no clearly defined, measurable benefit to the county. (There are similar problems with the charter). The paper supports a “philosophical change” conceived by a handful of profiteering promoters that have yet to divulge their true agenda. (To give them the benefit of the doubt, let’s accept that these people really do believe that if they do well the rest of us will do well too.)
The paper has never tried to pin down the two commissioners who want an administrator as to why, as a board, they can’t enact some of the changes they claim are needed, or just what types of policy the board will enact or any number of other hard questions but instead berates Bob Main and Don Gurney for signing a petition to put a citizen initiative on the ballot.
“Helping to put an obviously damaging proposal on the ballot is not leadership. It’s recklessness”, said the paper.
“Main and Gurney should be ashamed.” The paper need only look in the mirror when making this statement because without The World cheer leading and its complete lack of analysis the ordinance would have no standing at all. The board insulted almost 10% of the voting block yesterday, including, by her own admission, commission candidate Melissa Cribbins. The paper should be ashamed!
The proposed charter is entirely unworkable and will result in the county spending a fortune on lawsuits if it is passed. The charter is a big pile of steaming feces, at best. Looking forward to voting NO.
Scuppers? At least you can still vote.
Al, I read every word of the proposed charter. I rejected most sections. I will vote no. I signed the petition. Herne and Bell have as much right as you to be heard. Regarding the editorial board, what do you expect when the editor is barely beyond puberty. Clark won’t be hiring any person who is a threat to his survival. Until recently, this experienced editor was editing web page articles, has been writing articles about putting wheels on skateboards, the difference in chocolate, instructions for amateur Tai Chi, and activities in St. Kitts W.I.
The million dollar question, of course, is; how many of those signers had the opportunity to read the 40+ pages of the Charter prior to signing?
Shame indeed. I believe feeling shameful requires at least a minimal amount of intelligence, introspection, empathy, and most importantly, professionalism.
These clowns at the World show they have none of the above. They know the power of the printed word, they have just forgotten all pretense of being ethical, truthful, or professional, in my humble opinion.
Every community needs news, not a sports/industry rag who doesn’t give a rat’s ass about reporting honestly any longer, if it ever did. It’s no accident they can’t keep employees, who the hell would lower themselves, even for an under-paid part time position?
The proof is in the Sause.