Editorial
There is an adage in the world of journalism and politics alike. I’m not sure if anyone can say with certainty who originally coined it, but it’s often attributed to Republican Representative Charles Brownson from Indiana, who was reportedly fond of saying: “I never quarrel with a man who buys ink by the barrel.”
I’m not a fan of the quote, especially after reading Monday’s email from the printer, informing us the cost of those barrels is going up 12% next month. Nevertheless, there is some truth to the quote, and I’m going to use a few drops of that more expensive ink to explain why.
Before the email but after Monday’s episode of the Fisher County Commissioners Court, I engaged Commissioner Kevin Stuart with questions, inquiring first about what he knew of an investigation brought up during the meeting. He admitted to knowing nothing of an investigation, saying his issue was with the legality of awarding bids in January.
I later reviewed the January meeting, and the court’s procedure when approving bids was questionable, but nothing legal experts tell me is uncommon or something difficult to correct. Additionally, they said a 20-year precedent of awarding the bid and that Stuart voted to pay the March bill — well after the January meeting — simply screamed: “Weak case.”
I pushed back, digging for a more substantial answer, and I was halfway through asking about government transparency and how withholding his concerns was in the best interest of the public when he interrupted.
Of all the imbecilic sentences I have heard fall from Commissioner Stuart’s mouth — and there have been many during the four years he’s kept the courthouse chair warm — the one he tossed at me like an Olympic javelin on Monday was by far the most remarkably stupid thing he’s ever said.
“Say what you want,” said Stuart. “You just lie in the newspaper anyhow.”
Some of you are literally holding your breath right now; let it out. Webster defines “lie” in this context as 1. t make an untrue statement with the intent to deceive or 2. to create a false or misleading impression.
Ignoring the hypocrisy of a politician calling a journalist a liar, I asked the commissioner what “lies” he was referring to, and — with admitted aggression — told him I would apologize for any valid points. Stuart opened the pickup door, his hand darting behind the driver’s seat, withdrawing documents, and slapping them in my hand faster than an over-caffeinated Bruce Lee.
I recognized them instantly from an editorial I had written in April 2021. Then it dawned on me: He’s been driving around with these things in the back of his truck for over a year, waiting to make his claim and present supporting documents. When he was driving along those 50 extra miles of roads he fails to maintain, fantasizing about how he would get me, I bet he didn’t imagine it going down like this.
Webster defines an error as “an unintentional deviation from truth or accuracy.” This happens from time to time. Sometimes we print corrections, as we did in May after reporting an inaccurate timeline of events from a Stonewall Hospital meeting.
While we might disagree about lie vs error, I owe Commissioner Stuart an apology. I was inaccurate in my reporting of facts to support my editorial commentary in 2021.
In the column, I called several purchases into question, like a new truck for $41,000 and the “$4,500 extra to have an Abilene company ‘Pimp that Ride’ with a new bumper, seat covers, and rhino lining.”
Humorous, but inaccurate.
The supplied paperwork showed the truck was actually $41,455.32 and the $4,900 — not $4,500 — was for the RH FE Replacement, a Tommy Gate, and receiver hitch. I guess the rhino lining came stock, and the Carhart seat covers were clearly scratched from that order.
Those grey, Carhart seat covers for $295 were actually on the previous year’s purchase order when the same Abilene company installed bed mats, a tow & stow, a new toolbox, and other stuff to pimp out the truck Stuart bought for $38,484.49.
Although FEMA funds were used for that purchase because that’s what you do with emergency dollars you get as a result of a disaster, especially when your employees need to drive that truck back and forth from their home in another county.
I can only hope this correction clears up any inaccuracies conveyed in the April 2021 editorial. However, if my readers would like to check my work, you can view the documents mentioned above on our websitewww.doublemountianchronicle.com
You can call me a liar, a cheat, thief, reprobate, or scoundrel; I can take it. I find the term “scoundrel” to be rather endearing. But never question this publication’s dedication to the truth into question unless you have given it serious consideration.
What this newspaper represents is bigger than me, it’s bigger than us, and it’s damn sure bigger than a one-term commissioner with bent feelings over a perceived slight who later got tangled in the strings when his puppet master stopped doing the good thinking for him.
This publication shares facts about government and community, covers multiple seasons of sports, provides information about churches, local events, public notices, entertainment for older and younger readers, advertising for local and regional businesses, as well as balanced news separated by strong editorial commentary from more than 10 other writers, photographers, and designers.
Each one of them takes their duty, performance, and dedication to truth and accuracy seriously, and I will defend them and their work with a level of savagery rarely seen from a guy wearing a waistcoat. Point out our mistake, and we correct it, but if you are thinking about questioning our integrity based on a handful of technical errors... Don’t.
Publisher's Note: "I approve of this message."
Patricia Hurt, Publisher of the Double Mountain Chronicle