After serving 20 years in the military as a defender of the U.S. Constitution and 20-some years as public servant in preserving the rights and freedoms for North Dakotans, it is appalling to me that anyone would attempt to suppress our First Amendment rights and freedom of speech. We are a democratic society and whether you like what is being printed or said about the way the local government does business is the right of the writer or speaker as long as it’s the truth.

From what I can see, nothing but the truth has been written or spoken. If you don’t want your dirty laundry aired in public; then clean up your act and represent the people who put you in office and serve with integrity. Mistakes are not made intentionally, but if one is made, accept ownership, deal with it and correct it. You know who you are; and so do I. My hats off to City Councilmen Bednarz, Zachmeier, Dawn Hauck and Tribune Editor Tim Chapman.

– Luis Coca Jr., Rugby