Paul Cicala is a local journalist who most recently worked as a primetime anchor for ABC-7. We like Mr. Cicala and believe he is a competent newsman and a kind person.
David Stout is a sitting politician. He was just voted out of office but will continue to serve as County Commissioner of Precinct 2 until January 5, 2027.
At today’s meeting of the El Paso County Commissioners Court, Stout presented item 5C at 9:57am: “To approve and adopt a resolution recognizing the contributions of Paul Cicala to the practice of journalism in El Paso and naming June 22, 2026 as Paul Cicala Appreciation Day in El Paso County, Texas.”
Stout gave a rambling, monotone speech praising Cicala that lasted 5 minutes and 42 seconds. The item consumed 26 minutes of precious time that the Commissioners Court could have used to focus on County business.
That aside, there is a very serious problem here.
Journalists are not supposed to befriend or cavort with elected leaders. Their task is to investigate them constantly, examining their voting records, their relationships with businesses and campaign contributors, and their behavior both during and after work hours.
Ratified on December 15, 1791, the First Amendment safeguards freedom of the press and is a critical component of the United States Constitution.
Every republic must have a very curious and engaged press to keep politicians in line and prevent them from committing crimes and harming their constituents.
Stout had no business proposing a resolution creating “Paul Cicala Appreciation Day” because it makes a mockery of the media and undermines its most basic function, which is to investigate him.
We are disappointed the Commissioners Court voted 5-0 for this gratuitous display of flattery.
We wish to emphasize that the fault lies squarely with Stout and his colleagues although, quite frankly, we wish Paul had declined to accept the recognition.
We doubt Stout would have conferred the same honor on a journalist who exposed his deplorable record of excessive spending and his doubling of his own salary.
Will Stout also propose to create “El Paso Taxpayer Revolt Appreciation Day?” He would never conceive of such a resolution, and he if he did we would immediately reject it.
We don’t seek praise or recognition from politicians. We seek to hold them accountable, period.