Council continues ‘vendetta’ against local paper

FERRIS – Despite the fact The Ellis County Press is three times less expensive – and has a larger circulation of Ferris residents – several councilmen once again refused to name the ECP as Ferris’ newspaper of record.

After the council reconvened following a private executive session at the Monday, April 15 regular council meeting, Councilman Rick Barrett made a motion to choose The Ellis County Press as its paper of record, but no one would second the motion.

Councilmen Clayton Hunter, Bobby Lindsey and Jay Walsh sat stone faced, staring at the council chamber’s video screens.

After a minute of silence, Councilwoman Sherie Chapman, choosing not to vote as to appear a conflict of interest since her husband does contract work for the paper said, “I think we should table this item (until after the May election).”

Several of the councilmen have alluded they are “punishing” The Ellis County Press for the unflattering articles published in the last year written about them, city hall, and especially controversial City Manager Bill Jordan.

Publisher Charles Hatfield explained news reporting has nothing to do with public notice advertising which, by state law is required to be printed in a city’s local paper. It is required by state law because cities print their public meeting, zoning and legal notices in their paper of record for their citizens to have access.

Last year, the council voted to give The Ennis News that status.

Earlier in the meeting, a speaker asked for a show of hands if anyone in the surprisingly large audience subscribed or read The Ennis News.

No one raised their hand.

“I’m not being punished – the citizens are the real victims,” remarked Hatfield.