ACHTUNG: This is not a “fair and balanced” article. It is an editorial by the editor.

Legendary news and views broadcaster Paul Harvey used to do a segment on radio called, “The rest of the story.” He would begin with an outline of some development and then proceed to provide a twist at the end to better expose information to the listener.

Telling his audience at the end his signature, “Now you know the rest of the story,” he provided the “why,” which too often in these modern times just isn’t done. And there are consequences.

In my salad days as a community journalist, Editor-Publisher Irvin P. Helmey insisted the first paragraph of every story I write include the “five Ws” — who, what, when, where, how and sometimes why.

The “why” was conspicuous in its absence Monday night in the abrupt resignation of Martin Board of Education Trustee Rodney Pillars.

Pillars was re-elected to another four-year term in last November’s midterm as part of a slate of six conservative “parental rights” advocates. He was sworn in to his post Monday night, but resigned immediately after the election of officers was completed just moments afterward.

Melanie Conley, who won a two-year term in November, was elected president, Vice Tuinstra was re-elected vice president, Jeff Brinkhuis treasurer and newcomer Terri Bailey secretary.

The timing of Pillars’ resignation is critical here, but he did not offer an explanation, leaving virtually everybody to wonder what is actually happening. He was elected two months ago, was sworn in Monday night and then promptly said adios.

The development is unusual, leaving questions unanswered.

There are rumors that there is trouble in River City (Martin) over the recent parental rights movement in education, which has opposed mandates for children to wear masks during a pandemic, promotion of inclusion and teaching of “Critical Race Theory,” which is non-existent in local schools.

The fact that a slate of six candidates ran as a team calling themselves “conservatives” raised a few eyebrows, particularly mine. During a couple of school board meetings last year there was rancor, wailing and gnashing of teeth about these issues. I submit that it led to the “retirement” of Supt. Brooke Ballee-Stone, who was unfairly excoriated in the public arena.

This indeed is only speculation. But that’s only because I, like so many others, haven’t been told “the rest of the story.”