The second meeting of the North Bend City Council is in the history books and the scene was reminiscent of the bickering that became famous during the Lodahl era. Sure, the first meeting this year went off without a hitch, but it was a swearing-in ceremony for the elected members, with no pressing city business to discuss.

It’s obvious that there is still distrust among council members following the Jan. 20 meeting. It could stem from things said or done – anonymously or not – during the election. Whatever it is, council members are forgetting they represent the interests of their constituents, not their grudges against one another or, in some cases, the newspaper.

Breaking with their unofficial policy of a committee chair person proposing an action and getting a second from the co-chair, a recent meeting found another council member picking up the motion when it came time to designate the Valley Record as the city’s official newspaper, the one in which legal notices appear. Without the motion the measure might’ve died. The move was meant to send a message to the paper – a warning of sorts. Just what that warning is isn’t clear.

Yes, we have become a target, but that is exactly what a newspaper should be. We should instigate thought, inform readers about their surroundings and question the practices of those elected. The news may not always be good and my opinions may not always be what the elected officials want to hear. They have the opportunity to send us a column, respond personally or voice concerns they might have in the pages of the Record. But lately when asked about concerns, words come across that there is no problem, actions say something different.

All finger pointing aside, providing legal notices to our readers is just as important, in many cases, as news stories themselves. Legal notices are a way of providing checks and balances into the activities of our cities and to not fully understand the process while contemplating a change is reckless. If the process must change, so be it, but understand the process and then be honest about the reasons for change.

The meeting also featured the first time in recent history a council member was snubbed from the tradition of being designated the chair of at least one council committee. That action was followed by a concern that a council committee appointment was done in a “closed-door” setting. By the end of the meeting, the council appeared irritated, frustrated and more importantly, divided with little hope of future cohesion. Nobody argued that the person would likely be a great appointment, but at least let everyone know it’s on the agenda for discussion.

So let’s get it out in the open council members Bill Wittress, Mark Sollitto, Karen Tavenner, Chris Garcia and David Cook. Arguments shouldn’t happen in executive sessions, nor should the city’s business be hindered by personal vendettas and council in-fighting. The least we expect, as constituents, is professionalism, open communication, constructive criticism and a willingness to work together. Your track record after two meetings isn’t giving any of us the comfort that North Bend’s issues will be tackled.

I know, deep in your hearts, each of you wants to do what’s right. You all were elected because you have skills and interests that represent your constituents.

So will the council members who want to get things done please stand up and the council members that can only focus on pettiness please step down.

If you have a problem with something we wrote, said, or did, my office door is always open, the opinion page is always available and the phone works both ways. After all, our agenda is to make the Valley a better place to live, nothing more.