It is reassuring — especially now, in these days of bad government and perfidious journalism — to see our local independent newspaper fight the good fight. I am talking about the Leader’s bold oversight of Port Townsend’s city government leaders, who are obstinately refusing to explain their policies, especially their rush to jack up their salaries during a time of troubling budget deficits.

When the Leader’s reporters inquired about taxpayer-provided salary and benefits for city manager John Mauro, Mayor David Faber deflected the issue to his office toadies. These petty public bureaucrats ignored the paper’s legitimate request and reacted with an ugly attack on the press. Particularly embarrassing was the response of the city’s communications director, who replied with what sounded like a prepubescent pout against frustrated parents who demand a curfew. As a retired journalist, I assure you that this is exactly the sort of sniveling response you get from low level functionaries when there is something to hide. Particularly worrisome is that all this hanky-panky is happening just as the city is poised to impose some troubling ordinances which are likely to be ruinous for business and consumers alike. The city’s churlish behavior is an offense to everyone.

Where there’s smoke, there’s fire.

What the mayor and his lackeys don’t understand is that it is not the business of government to oversee the press. It’s the other way around: an active press has a duty to demand the information that the public needs so they can be informed about what’s going on in their government. When officials try to conceal what they’re up to, it is a sure sign of deceit.

There’s an easy solution to all this. Instead of throwing a temper tantrum, Hizzoner should put on his big boy pants and respond to the Leader’s reasonable requests under the Open Records statute. RCW 42.56 may be a little inconvenient for Mr. Faber and his flunkies, but unless they have something to hide, they shouldn’t mind.   If the city hesitates, the Leader should sue their brains out. After all, there’s still that little thing called the First Amendment.

Terrence Knight

Port Hadlock