As Editor & Publisher of Big Bend Times, I have had the privilege and responsibility of covering stories that matter to our community. From important local issues to keeping our public officials accountable, we’ve dedicated ourselves to honest and transparent journalism. But recent events have taken a rather unfortunate turn, resembling the childish antics one might expect in a playground rather than the offices of our county’s administrators.
One has to wonder: When did “professional” public office conduct evolve into peeping through blinds like a schoolchild, instead of addressing constituents in a straightforward manner?
Visiting the county attorney’s office during business hours shouldn’t feel like approaching the mysterious home at the end of a street, the one children dare each other to knock on during Halloween. But that’s precisely what it felt like. After making my intentions clear, and ensuring my presence in the county facilities was legal and above board, I was met with closed doors and the peculiar act of someone—whom I believe to be the county attorney’s assistant—peeking through a slat in the blinds. This isn’t the transparency Jeff Davis County deserves.
It is distressing, to say the least, that the very people entrusted with upholding the law and ensuring public safety resort to actions that not only undermine the dignity of their office but also impede the rights of citizens and journalists. This is not the first instance where I’ve been met with stonewalling or suspicious behavior. From the alleged misuse of confidential records by a county employee to threats of false allegations, the journey has been riddled with roadblocks.
The situation is more than just unprofessional—it’s deeply concerning for the broader fabric of our democracy. The press, often termed the Fourth Estate, serves as a watchdog, ensuring that public officials remain transparent and accountable to the people they serve. But if journalists are threatened, obstructed, and treated with petty behavior, it shakes the very foundations of a free press and an informed citizenry.
I’ve dedicated my career to shedding light on the truth, from uncovering misuses of power to simply keeping our streets clean. In return, the least I expect from our officials is professionalism, respect, and adherence to the principles that our county and nation hold dear.
To the officials of Jeff Davis County: We are not children in a playground. Our community deserves better. Our citizens deserve clarity, respect, and a commitment to the rule of law. It’s time to drop the games and start acting like the professionals you were elected to be. The blinds of obstruction must be lifted, and the doors of transparency thrown wide open. We, the people of Jeff Davis County, are watching. And we expect better.
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