Guthrie draws a line in the sand for Mayor Diebold

Congratulations to Marc Guthrie, president of Newark City Council, for confronting Mayor Bob Diebold - in a public meeting - about deception in communicating with council members.

It took courage and dedication to principles of honest government - and it was a welcome break from tradition - to say these things for the public to hear.

The deceptions named by Guthrie - regarding employee evaluations and misstatements about the status of a certain city employee position - weren't in themselves as important over the long haul as was this sort of public reprimand from City Council. It served as an announcement that this mayor isn't going to get away with behind-the-doors polishing on his version of the truth.

This, I believe, is part of what caught up with the previous mayor. Mr. Diebold is only in the first year as successor to that administration so he should be grateful to Guthrie for drawing a line in the sand this far ahead of the next election.

It could do the Diebold administration a world of good. Or maybe not.