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...