We need watchdogs!
During production of The Kutztown Patriot yesterday, one of The Item's columnists, Charlie Adams, called to confirm a nagging feeling any editor must carry with them.
"What's this 'Senator brings money for upgrades' all abOT?" he said, me in my best Pennsylvania Dutch accent, which I find to be one of my favorite local dialects.
Oh, no! For the sake of some repetition of style, I often plop another story's headline on top of another while it's being crafted on the pages. The idea is to change those so they suit the article they adorn. And obviously, the editor erred. So I guess that makes me human, officially now. The error is on Page 4. Please, don't stare, but do read Charlie's column.
Hopefully by now you've had a chance to pick up this week's Item and you'll notice we're expanding our municipal coverage. This week we've got stories from Albany and Ontelaunee townships, and Hamburg, of course. I have mentioned early my dedication to small town news and how important it is for people to get involved in their local governments.
I was at two municipalities this past week and noticed public participation fairly low. Though, at Bernville, I was forced to cover it from the stairs at the most unusual meeting hall I've ever seen. My aim is to make our coverage approachable and engaging. I think it's great we're 'out there' and starting to foster relationships with the elected officials in your hometowns.
To that end, I'd really appreciate the public's participation, if you will. The Item needs watchdogs who can report news tips from the most local of levels. We'll take it from there, but I really like to see people passionate about their hometowns. I want to inform any reader how they can get involved in their communities for the common good, and to expose problems where they exist, and solutions to those problems.
And I want to relay to the readers that The Item should serve as your forum for expression, but it can never reach that level without interaction. Please use the numerous ways of contact to get these messages to us, and no matter is too small or too big.
If there are Hockey League sign-ups, or fall soccer tryouts, The Item should know. If there is a persistent, weird smell in your neighborhood, someone should probably look into that, but it won't happen until it gets in the paper. That's when everyone knows about it and people are more compelled to get something done about it.
"What's this 'Senator brings money for upgrades' all abOT?" he said, me in my best Pennsylvania Dutch accent, which I find to be one of my favorite local dialects.
Oh, no! For the sake of some repetition of style, I often plop another story's headline on top of another while it's being crafted on the pages. The idea is to change those so they suit the article they adorn. And obviously, the editor erred. So I guess that makes me human, officially now. The error is on Page 4. Please, don't stare, but do read Charlie's column.
Hopefully by now you've had a chance to pick up this week's Item and you'll notice we're expanding our municipal coverage. This week we've got stories from Albany and Ontelaunee townships, and Hamburg, of course. I have mentioned early my dedication to small town news and how important it is for people to get involved in their local governments.
I was at two municipalities this past week and noticed public participation fairly low. Though, at Bernville, I was forced to cover it from the stairs at the most unusual meeting hall I've ever seen. My aim is to make our coverage approachable and engaging. I think it's great we're 'out there' and starting to foster relationships with the elected officials in your hometowns.
To that end, I'd really appreciate the public's participation, if you will. The Item needs watchdogs who can report news tips from the most local of levels. We'll take it from there, but I really like to see people passionate about their hometowns. I want to inform any reader how they can get involved in their communities for the common good, and to expose problems where they exist, and solutions to those problems.
And I want to relay to the readers that The Item should serve as your forum for expression, but it can never reach that level without interaction. Please use the numerous ways of contact to get these messages to us, and no matter is too small or too big.
If there are Hockey League sign-ups, or fall soccer tryouts, The Item should know. If there is a persistent, weird smell in your neighborhood, someone should probably look into that, but it won't happen until it gets in the paper. That's when everyone knows about it and people are more compelled to get something done about it.
posted by Item Meister at
4:55 PM
1 Comments:
Kudos on the column.
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