Gary Scott, who used to report for the Claremont Courier and who was the political editor for the San Gabriel Valley Tribune, has an article in the Daily Journal today about gadfly blogs and the struggles local governments are having in dealing with them.
The Foothill Cities blog was mentioned, as was our own humble e-rag.
Scott's article showed that the blogosphere is clearly on the minds of cities and their attorneys:
Recent posts on an Internet bulletin board for city attorneys illustrates the struggles they face trying to respond to client concerns. The first lesson is that bloggers, even those who cloak themselves in anonymity, are afforded broad free-speech protections. The second lesson is that any effort to block, thwart or silence a blogger usually provides them with their best material.
.....
Roy Hanley, attorney for the cities of Solvang and King City, agreed a public fight should be avoided.
"You will never hear the end of it," Hanley said. "Nobody feels sorry for public officials with thin skin."
Scott interviewed a number of city attorneys for the article, and the best quote came from Pomona City Attorney Arnold Alvarez-Glasman, who had a notable feud earlier this year with the guys at the FC blog. Alvarez-Glasman (no relation to Xavier Alvarez, as far we know), gave this advice:
The lesson, Alvarez-Glasman tells his colleagues: "After going through all of this, my personal advice would be to have your clients develop [or purchase] some very thick skin."
Not that there's much of a chance for that in Claremont, given the high opinions the Claremont 400 types have of themselves. They just can't help themselves.
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