Standard-Examiner Op-Ed: Weber Commission Needs to Stop Being Disrespectful - Updated

More diplomacy and less drama, Mssrs. Bell and Gibson, please

We're less than delighted to report that there's more unfortunate "bad press" for our Weber County Commissioners Matthew Bell and Kerry Gibson this week, with yesterday's publication, in the Standard-Examiner online edition, of this relatively scathing guest commentary, reeling off a whole laundry list of recent public "faux Pas" committed by these otherwise fine "gentlemen."

• Weber Commission needs to stop being disrespectful

Our hope is that, as a consequence of this latest instance of "bad ink," this all ends up being what's called a "teachable moment" for these two incumbent Weber County Commissioners, yes?

More diplomacy and less drama, Mssrs. Bell and Gibson, please. Keep in mind the tried and true Barry Goldwater axiom: "To disagree, one doesn't have to be disagreeable."

A word to the wise ought to be sufficient, wethink.

Just another helpful hint from your old pal Rudi, (who's fillin' in for Miss Manners this week)!

Update 12/5/14 6:00 a.m.: The Standard follows up yesterday's guest op-ed with a hard-copy edition house editorial of its own. "It was an unseemly display by the commission, which has unfortunately been mired in political spats. Commission Chairman Gibson should make an effort to lead the body in a more dignified manner," the SE editorial board intones:

• Our View: Commission spat unseemly

Don't let the cat get your tongues, O Gentle Ones.

Standard-Examiner: In 'State of the County' Speech, Gibson Attacks Standard-Examiner

Somehow we're getting a strong "psychic vibe" that this story isn't going to end well.

A lot has been said lately about our library system and what its future might be in our community," Gibson said. "Unfortunately this issue has been hijacked by well-meaning activists who have demonized any person who dares to ask a question or offer any conservative thought. Among the worst is some of our own local media.

County Commissioner Kerry Gibson
In 'State of the County' speech, Gibson attacks Standard-Examiner
April 8, 2014

We have had some biased reporting," Gibson said, "but maybe worse than that, lazy efforts of the (Standard-Examiner) editorial board have been laughable at best.

County Commissioner Kerry Gibson
In 'State of the County' speech, Gibson attacks Standard-Examiner
April 8, 2014

Never pick a fight with people who buy ink by the barrel.

Mark Twain
Brainy Quote
November 30, 1835 – April 21, 1910

On the heels of the recent series of Standard-Examiner stories reporting on the recent Weber County Library bonding flap, it appears that yesterday's strong Standard-Examiner editorial was "the straw that broke the camel's back":

• Our View: Don’t mess with the library bond

This morning's S-E hard-copy edition headline sums it up in a nutshell.  Read up on yesterday's Weber County Commission Chairman Kerry Gibson Tuesday rant, where he "lashed out at the Standard-Examiner and library proponents for recent stories, editorials and other material that criticized attempts to downsize a voter-approved bond."

• In 'State of the County' speech, Gibson attacks Standard-Examiner

Somehow we're getting a strong "psychic vibe" that this story isn't going to end well, as Gibson adds additional fuel to the fire, and goes to war with our home-town newspaper.

As a seasoned politician, you'd think Gibson would know better, yes?