A few years late... Eagle Tribune Finally Weighs in on McGravey Matter

It doesn't take much courage to come out and take a stand on an important public issue after that issue has been decided upon and concluded in a court of law.

.. years after other newspapers have discussed and debated the issue a hundred different ways.

Today, however, the Alabama~Eagle FINALLY took a stand against Lawrence City Council President Patrick Blanchette's harassment of former assistant city clerk Jennifer Padellaro.

FINALLY (years after the fact) the Alabama~Eagle has acknowledged that Padellaro was the victim of sexual harassment at the hands of Patrick Blanchette's best friend Jim McGravey. Finally, the Trib. admits that Blanchette acted illegally in protecting McGravey. FINALLY! they have the courage (after the fact) to put the blame squarely on Lawrence city officials ...Finally!

But there were elements of the Alabama~Eagle's editorial today that looked SUPER familiar to us here at The Valley Patriot. Let's compare and contrast today's editorial by the Eagle and the column written in The Valley Patriot's FEBRUARY 2008 edition.

(FEBRUARY 4, 2008)
VALLEY PATRIOT'S PAYING ATTENTION! COLUMN

The Real Disgrace in the Jennifer Paddelaro Lawsuit

(APRIL 13, 2008)
EAGLE TRIBUNE EDITORIAL
Poor handling of McGravey matter cost Lawrence dearly

Councilor rushed to hospital for suspected drug overdose

Lawrence City Councilor Grisel Silva was rushed to the hospital Wednesday afternoon after a 911 call was placed to the Lawrence Police claiming the District "B" councilor was in her car and had taken a bottle of sleeping pills. (READ TRIBUNE STORY HERE) Officers Flemming and Beauleau investigated the incident and Silva was held for observation overnight. Police said last night that Silva will most likely, not be charged with driving while under the influence. Silva's husband Nelson, refused to comment to the Valley Patriot last night, but did threaten to sue the Lawrence Police the Eagle Tribune and the Valley Patriot if the police report or the 911 call was reported to the public. Oddly enough, Councilor Silva did issue a public statement last night only minutes after the Valley Patriot website posted the story and then was hacked into, making updates to the site impossible for more than two hours. (Grisel Silva's Press Release).

***We at the Valley Patriot are interested in what YOU think about the latest Grisel Silva fiasco.

Her husband contends that this is purely a private matter and others are contending that this is just the Evil Tribune out to get her .... again. Should Grisel Silva resign from the council and tend to her enormous personal and emotional problems before trying to solve the city's problems? Is this story over the line and an invasion of her personal life? And, what if she had fallen asleep at the wheel of her car and killed someone? Shouldn't she be charged with DUI?? Does she bear any responsibility for the bad press she causes the city every time she gets crazy and does something monumentally embarrassing?