What place should self-control have in a Bend City councilor? That answer is easy: They should set a great example.

Twice recently Barb Campbell has showed a striking lack of self-control during city meetings. She packed up and walked out of a Bend city meeting in June. She was frustrated about a councilor participating by phone and upset about national immigration policy.

OK, we all get frustrated. Still, is that any way for a councilor to behave?

Then, during a pause in a city meeting Wednesday, she did something that is — to say the least — curious. She walked up to The Bulletin’s reporter covering the meeting and handed him of box of newspapers. It included an envelope addressed to the “Bulletin Editorial Board doers of actual harm to individuals and our community, please cancel my subscriptions.”

The handwritten letter inside said:

“Erik Lukens

Janet Stevens

R. Coe

3,600 households around the city are facing sewer costs they simply can’t afford. Their mayor is out of town again. You all should be ashamed of yourselves.

Barb Campbell

Bend City Council”

It was scrawled on the back of a printout of an editorial we wrote criticizing Campbell for walking out of that meeting in June.

We should point out that we have urged the city to help those households that she refers to who must make a transition from septic to sewer. As for Mayor Casey Roats, he recently announced he won’t be seeking re-election because of a health issue. We don’t know why he was out of town, but we don’t know what that has to do with us.

Campbell is running for re-election. Any Council election should be focused on policy matters. But it also is important to consider how well a candidate will represent his or her constituents and the city. Some people may admire Campbell’s June walkout, her recent missive and the way she delivered it. Others may question her self-control. It is something to consider when weighing your vote in November.