The long talked about creation of a new newspaper to confront the facts printed in the First Capitol News has finally reached fruition. The first issue of The Citizen was delivered to our doors as an insert in the ad-paper, The St. Charles Journal.
The publisher is Ed Watkins, and contrary to his statement on the front page of his chronicle, he is not a “new voice” in town. He is a public relations person and has been seen and heard by us for more than 20 years—backslapping and glad-handing—at any and all events and happenings of major and or economic importance.
During the 1980’s we remember him as a close ally of Bill Weber and his son, Randolph, who was actively involved in the local Republican Party. These were the years the homebuilders and developers were kings and appeared to control our County government. Many of the same individuals who were involved with this “elite” group who spent large sums of money to elect “their candidates” to public office back then are the same ones who supported Patti York for Mayor. The object was to “get Riddler” and control the City Council. The old alliances are still intact.
We wish Mr. Watkins the very best in his newest business endeavor. It is the true American spirit to aspire to climb new mountains and reach new heights of excellence. We look forward to the future debates about public policy. An informed public makes fewer mistakes at the polls.
Unfortunately, Mr. Watkins’s virgin voyage through the journalistic waters fell short of any altruistic purpose or meaningful goals. The front page of his first issue concentrated on promoting Mayor York and her latest agenda, and attacked The First Capitol News.
It was a pleasant surprise to see a recent column by Alex Spencer from The First Capitol News reproduced on the front page of The Citizen. Until Mr. Watkins reprinted the Spencer column, the rest of St. Charles County was unaware our mayor enjoys hugging and squeezing over shaking hands. The First Capitol News is a local City newspaper and is distributed only to the City. The Citizen is printed and delivered to every household in St. Charles County by the St. Charles Journal. It is an ad-paper and we will see the same advertisers in both papers as it reaches our doors on a bi-weekly basis. At the very least, this new paper should provide a powerful tool to the investors who wish to promote not only their businesses, but will be attempting to sway the public to vote for their selected candidates and issues in all future elections.
It appears our Mayor has made a real believer out of Mr. Watkins, and he will continue to serve her well in future issues.
Mr. Watkins’ motto is, “An Honest Voice About Honest Issues.” It has been my observation honesty gets rather blurred when the stakes are high and big money is on the line. Exactly which issues are “honest” and whose “honest voice” are we listening to?
Mr. Watkins appears to believe the public should not hear the truth. Truth may very well be unpleasant to bear at times, but truth is never “unfair or unbalanced.” Individuals who respect others do attempt to tell the truth. It is the only true basis upon which we can logically determine our decisions.
Mr. Watkins, you are correct in stating our city has been shamed. It is the same pervasive shame that has gone unchecked for decades. There is an increasing groundswell of public opinion that truly believes a small minority should not be allowed to feed at the public trough at the expense of the taxpayers. I believe this sort of activity is best defined by your words, “asinine, acrimonious, absurd, arrogant, and abhorrent.” Some believe such activities are outright morally reprehensible, if not actually outright illegal.
It is a foolish ignoble goal to attempt to save the honor of our Mayor. The only person who can demean the Office of the Mayor is the Mayor herself, a task which she has accomplished rather admirably. It is the opinion of many that our Mayor suffers from the “Elliot Ness Syndrome.” She thinks she is above the law and therefore untouchable. This type of arrogance never produces positive results for anybody, especially the Mayor.
The stark reality of this particularl debate is, due to the Mayor’s inappropriate conduct and behavior, “all the king’s horses and all the king’s men may not be able to put Humpty Dumpty together again.”
