LETTER FROM THE EDITOR: The weight of officials’ words...

We live in a time where the old axiom, “The pen is mightier than the sword,” rings truer than ever. Social media gives anyone and everyone with half a thought an option to get their opinions – factual, unfounded, unnecessarily inflammatory or just plain asinine – out to a broad audience.  

While I’m a strong believer in the First Amendment – I mean, it is what allows me to do my job, which I adore – I'm also an advocate for the mindset that each of the rights in the First Amendment are also responsibilities. This is especially true for those in leadership positions with power in the towns, counties, states and nations they were elected or appointed to serve.  

On the national level, the bluster seems to be at its worst with politicians on both sides of the aisle slinging mud left, right, upside down and any other creative way they can think of. Statewide, whether it’s Washington, Idaho, Texas or Florida, it’s much the same.

My area of concern, and I generally try to stay in my lane, is the local level in towns like Moses Lake, Ephrata, Quincy, Othello and Mattawa. Social media is in the mix, but with a small community that’s just an echo of what’s being said in person at public meetings, at restaurant booths and over fence lines between farmers.  

Many of those local conversations have their roots in local public meetings, whether that’s at a city council meeting, a school board workshop, or similar venue. A city council member might talk about all the dangers at a public facility. A school board member might discuss the dangers of transgender students in sports. Whatever the case might be, if said in a public meeting where everyone can hear it, there’s going to be a reaction. 

I don’t think any of us has a problem with the issues being discussed and thought through. The nation’s founding fathers wanted us to have responsible conversations in the “marketplace of ideas” philosophy that many of them ascribed to. Essentially, the idea is to put every idea on the table for consideration, good or bad, and then hash them out until the best rises to the top and is implemented. Kind of like when metals are being refined and the best materials separate out into layers with the dross being skimmed off and discarded.  

Part of that idea is that things based on facts should rise to the top. However, especially when an elected official like a city council member critiques something or makes bold statements that aren’t based in fact ... Well, that’s going to cause a lot of problems for the communities they serve.  

Some examples:  

Claiming that homeless individuals are being intentionally bussed into Moses Lake and left there. My staff has investigated this, and it simply isn’t a fact. Nobody is busing in people to add to the homeless population in the community.  

Claiming that the Moses Lake Public Library is a “den of iniquity” and is unsafe. I personally spoke with North Central Washington Libraries and the Moses Lake Police Department about possible safety concerns at the library. Turns out, those safety concerns simply don’t exist. Do homeless people visit the library to cool off in the summer, warm up in the winter or use its services to connect with resources, family and check out books? Yes. However, NCW Libraries has trained staff to deal with anyone, homeless or not, causing a scene in the library. Additionally, MLPD has seen a drastic reduction in calls to the park adjacent to the library. MLPD leadership has assured me on multiple occasions that the library is safe. None of the assertions made in the various comments about the library over the last year or so have merit. 

City council members made those statements above. Neither are true. As such, those making the claims have caused turmoil in the communities they’re sworn to serve and nurture. Their elected offices grant them a certain gravitas, and their constituents listen when they speak. While both of the examples above are from Moses Lake, chosen because the after-effects of those comments are being felt in the proverbial public square right now, during my tenure here at the Columbia Basin Herald, I’ve seen similar instances associated with nearly all of the municipalities we cover. 

To those officials saying such things, I say to you: Do better. Properly research the issues you’re discussing. Speak with the people involved. Speaking out of turn and without education is harmful to the communities you serve, whether that’s Moses Lake, Mattawa, Othello, Ritzville or Ephrata.  

Your First Amendment rights are also a sacred responsibility. How you vote on measures in front of the councils and boards you serve upon should be based on fact, with data and strong morals combining to make a wise and intelligent decision. Providing accurate, detailed and intelligent information to your constituents is your responsibility and something you signed up to do when you opted to run for office or accept an appointment. 

I strongly encourage you all to remain committed to the truth and service. Your communities deserve it, and they need it to thrive.  

With appreciation for our public leaders who live in truth, and our readers who deserve the best leadership their communities can provide. Your words carry significant weight and should be measured carefully.  

R. Hans “Rob” Miller
Managing Editor
Columbia Basin Herald
Basin Business Journal