Lockett lectures Augusta Commission colleagues, media on ethics | The Augusta Chronicle

Before the Augusta Com­mission approved a revamped ethics ordinance last week, Commissioner Bill Lockett gave his colleagues and the media a mighty lecture on ethics, accusing the former of turning a blind eye to repeated local, state and federal violations and the latter of failing to be government watchdogs.

“The credibility of this government is suspect,” Lockett said. “Your continued silence sends a message to our constituents that you not only condone such despicable and deplorable behavior but support policies that could conceivably be financially detrimental to this government.”

When it became apparent where Lockett was headed, Commissioner Wayne Guil­foyle pushed his glasses to the top of his head, leaned way back in his chair and stared up at the ceiling, while others began looking around, laughing and whispering among themselves.

After quoting a former Hew­lett Packard CEO by saying the most effective check and balance on government has been an independent press, Lockett added, “You the media must be able to distinguish fact from fiction. We are in need of watchdog journalism, the practice of investigative journalism. … Where are our investigative reporters? The people have the right to know.”

When it was over, Com­mis­sioner Grady Smith muttered, “He got off on another one. Whew!”

It was such a farce, the only way I could get it out of my mind was to create my own farce: “Foghorn Leg­horn, or Gone With the Windbag.”

via Lockett lectures Augusta Commission colleagues, media on ethics | The Augusta Chronicle.