We’ve all heard the old saying: “If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.” This is the message people wishing to hold public offices need to consider before, during and after taking a position that is accountable to the electorate they serve.

    Too often an elected officeholder is upset with the amount (or lack) of attention given to his or her office based on their operations, forgetting that their successes and failures are public record for those supporting them with tax dollars.

    Though this is not new, the most recent example is the reaction by Lewis County Sheriff Steve Mansfield to being investigated for alleged criminal misconduct in a delicate family situation. The state Attorney General’s office elected not to file charges, though the investigation report said the sheriff could “technically” have been charged for failing to return a minor to her parents.

    The minor is the mother of the sheriff’s grandchild, his son’s child. Mother and child were staying at Mansfield’s while matters were being sorted out. While many of us may do exactly the same thing in such a situation, the sheriff needs to be held to an even higher standard of behavior — similar to doctors, lawyers and all elected officials.

    Where Mansfield gets off track is how he handled the entire affair. When The Chronicle first reported that his own Deputies Guild prompted the investigation, his reaction was to shoot at two messengers — his own office and this newspaper for even reporting the situation. His first reaction was that he was going to get to the bottom of who and how this was reported from his office.

    He did it again this week after the state Attorney General’s office released its findings that it will not press charges. He was upset with The Chronicle story, in which he learned of the resolution of the case. We heard about it. These are not the first times Mansfield has been overly sensitive to press coverage and he needs to be reminded that this comes with the territory of being an elected official.

    We’ve been told he preaches accountability to the people in his office. He needs to take his own advice.

    A strong leader exudes both strength and composure at all times. An effective leader also takes responsibility for errors or misjudgments, often falling on his own sword to protect his department. To whine or pass the blame is not a good example. The Lewis County Deputies Guild was correct in issuing its concern because the reputation of the entire department of county law enforcement is at risk in a situation like this.

    This newspaper, unlike some broadcast sources, is not a public relations agency for any office holder or person in a position of power. Our obligation is to present what happened in the news story, while our Editorial Board may weigh in with an opinion such as this.

    Mansfield is not alone. His popular predecessor, John McCroskey, had issues when this paper allowed controversial comments critical of his office’s performance. So have Prosecuting Attorney Michael Golden and his predecessor, Jeremy Randolph.

    Certainly we do not want to discourage candidates from running for office, but anyone who does needs to be aware that the position sought requires transparency to the people paying for that department — the taxpaying public.

    If wasteful mismanagement, illegal or criminal activity or any suspect behavior is discovered by an office holder or related department — from city hall to county officials to state and federal positions — expect this newspaper to cover it.

    It is our duty.