Residents of Bar Harbor should be very concerned about the Town Council prioritizing their desire to "manage the narrative." This smacks of manipulation and suppression.
Within the workings of government, the Council already limits government transparency through over use of Executive Sessions and Non Disclosure Agreements, while limiting public input through meeting protocols. In fact, Councilor Earl Brechlin went so far as to propose new obstacles to public comment in general and Councilor Gary Friedmann proposed an unprecedented gag order on individuals.
Within the community, the Council has seemed to have undue influence on The Mt. Desert Islander. Town Government can drive town news. Officials serve as valued sources to the newspaper. The threat to accurate reporting and an independent press is compounded by councilors who have close personal and professional ties with The Islander - and may use them to prioritize their own agendas.
Residents of Bar Harbor should be very concerned about the Town Council prioritizing their desire to "manage the narrative." This smacks of manipulation and suppression.
Within the workings of government, the Council already limits government transparency through over use of Executive Sessions and Non Disclosure Agreements, while limiting public input through meeting protocols. In fact, Councilor Earl Brechlin went so far as to propose new obstacles to public comment in general and Councilor Gary Friedmann proposed an unprecedented gag order on individuals.
Within the community, the Council has seemed to have undue influence on The Mt. Desert Islander. Town Government can drive town news. Officials serve as valued sources to the newspaper. The threat to accurate reporting and an independent press is compounded by councilors who have close personal and professional ties with The Islander - and may use them to prioritize their own agendas.