For the second time in three months, Columbus Ward 4 Councilman Marty Turner has used social media to attack a fellow councilman.
In October, the council reprimanded Turner after he posted a profanity-laced Facebook rant directed at then-Ward 5 Councilman Kabir Karriem. Turner was unhappy with the city’s response to the Ricky Ball shooting.
He was at it again Sunday, this time turning his Facebook wrath on Ward 6 Councilman Bill Gavin, charging Gavin — one of two white councilmen — with racism, a claim he said that is supported by Gavin’s voting record on city appointments. Turner is African American.
Mayor Robert Smith and Ward 2 Councilman Joseph Mickens condemned Turner’s outburst Monday, correctly noting that airing personal grievances in so public a venue damages the council’s credibility.
The charge of racism is a particularly poisonous thing. It disrupts, divides and distracts.
If Turner, or any other councilman, has such serious issues with a fellow councilman, those differences should be resolved in an adult manner — through a one-on-one discussion, either privately or when the council meets in executive session.
Airing personal grievances on Facebook is a sign of immaturity and achieves little of value.
Turner is accountable for only one council vote — his own — and that is true of each councilman. It is not Turner’s responsibility to judge the motives of other councilmen — each answers to his conscience and his constituents.
When the city council updated its social media policy in 2013, it clearly outlined what sort of conduct would not be permitted by city employees and established punishments for those who violate it.
But the council has exempted itself from that policy. That Turner has violated that policy twice in three months should be a strong argument that the council should adhere to the same standards it demands of its employees.
When Smith agreed to submit to the requirements of a city noise ordinance during the remodeling of city hall in September, even though the city was not technically bound by the ordinance, we applauded his leadership.
We can still think of no reason while the mayor and council should be exempt from the rules they make for everyone else.
Turner has proven to be unwilling or unable to exercise self-restraint.
His behavior is a poor reflection on himself, the council and the city.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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