Opinion: Did Pinal Central Censor Content to Avoid a Lawsuit?

In a recent op-ed published by Pinal Central, Barry R. Goldman expressed his views on Patrick Melvin, the Democratic candidate for sheriff, asserting the need to keep Melvin out of office. The piece, shared with InMaricopa earlier, drew significant attention and controversy.

Goldman’s commentary sparked a response from Ralph Atchue, Melvin’s campaign manager, who labeled Goldman a racist. Atchue denounced Goldman’s critiques as baseless and politically motivated, implying they stemmed from racial bias rather than evidence of Melvin’s qualifications. “It’s quite obvious this Goldman character has a personal axe to grind,” Atchue stated in his response. He defended Melvin’s lengthy law enforcement career while criticizing his opponent, Teeple, for lack of ambition.

Goldman quickly hit back, vehemently rejecting Atchue’s claims of racism. “I grew up as the minority in a minority area,” he wrote, emphasizing his diverse personal relationships and family background. He noted the importance of character over skin color, asserting his criticisms of Melvin were based on performance rather than ethnicity. “My personal axe to grind… is about past performance and factual history,” he elaborated, referencing Melvin’s tenure as police chief and his subsequent job changes.

Goldman criticized Atchue’s comments as reflective of “bigoted, short-sighted” thinking, defining bigotry not solely in racial terms but as an unreasonable attachment to a belief. He lamented that both of his responses to Atchue had not been published by Pinal Central, suggesting a potential oversight or fear of legal repercussions from the media outlet.

As the political landscape heats up ahead of the elections, Goldman remains firm in his stance: “Let’s make sure this guy stays unemployed.” The tension between Goldman’s and Atchue’s statements underscores the high stakes and contentious dynamics of local political races.

Barry R. Goldman, resident of Cobblestone Farms, stands ready to defend his position and is unlikely to receive an apology from Atchue. As the election draws near, the public will undoubtedly continue to watch this unfolding drama.