OPINION: ‘No comment’ a cop-out

Translated, that often means that a public official got caught in an embarrassing situation and doesn’t have a good explanation for it.

Such appears to be the case in a phone call last week from Journal reporter Kristi Reed, who sought some background information for an upcoming feature story from Barrow County Building and Grounds director Lyn Clement.

Without even knowing what the call was about, Clement refused through a secretary to take the call, demanded that reporter Reed never call back and that no Journal reporter should ever step into his department’s offices.

Well.

Clement is apparently piqued about recent news coverage of his department, coverage that included blistering comments from commissioner Steve Worley about the lack of work being done by Clement’s office in enforcing county codes and permit rules.

If Worley is correct, Clement’s office is basically a do-nothing department where sitting at a computer appears to be the only occupation of its staff. Getting out in the county to see what’s going on is apparently not in their resume.

But none of that had anything to do with our reporter’s phone call.

Clement’s lack of professionalism in his response to that call is troubling. This newspaper owns property and pays Barrow County taxes just like any other taxpayer. We have the right to expect professional courtesy and response to questions we may have, just like any other taxpayer.

It is these kinds of petty responses from county officials that have upset so many citizens over the last 17 months in Barrow County.

And for the record, we will continue to call Mr. Clement’s office and have reporters visit his county office when necessary, his ban notwithstanding.

We will continue to do our job — perhaps Mr. Clement should start doing his.