Not a boycott?

Tim Crews, editor and publisher of the Sacramento Valley Mirror, reports that Willows Police Chief William Spears is calling for a boycott of the paper.

Crews cited a section of the chief’s blog that reads: “I will not support his newspaper (freedom of speech) any longer. I urge others to also stop their support of the Mirror. Cancel your subscriptions; do not run ads in the paper. Furthermore urge others to drop their subscriptions and boycott or not support businesses that elect to continue to support him”

Crews (pictured) responded to Spears in an email: “Your tactic for these several years had been to demean or defame those who have the temerity to question your authority. That task, sir, as long as this nation has been a nation, is the function of the press.”

Despite his blog comments, Spears denied he’s called for a boycott. “That’s over the top,” he said in a brief phone interview. Spears’ job as chief ends on Dec. 30. However, he was elected to the Willows City Council on Nov. 6.