Tingle's Law

A town gags its employees

The town fathers of Blanchard, La., have passed two ordinances that give new meaning to the phrase "gag order." One is designed to prohibit city employees from publicly criticizing elected officials. A second bars employees from talking to the press or writing articles without prior permission from city hall. Blanchard (pop. 1,128) enacted the laws after area newspapers quoted an assistant fire chiefs criticism of new aldermen. Violators of the ordinances face disciplinary action in addition to possible firing. Only those few in top elective jobs will be exempted from the ban. That includes Police Chief Ted Bostwick, who grumbles nonetheless: "I think that the laws are a violation of a man's rights and that type of stuff." Mayor Henry Tingle seems unconcerned about possible constitutional challenges. "It's the law," he says firmly "After we make a law, we don't have to ask the town or anyone whether they like it or not."

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