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Custodian of Public Opinion
Posted by
J.M. "Matt" Byrd
posted by The Phoenix Files at
12:48 PM
The Phoenix Files
The comments and posts on The Phoenix Files do not necessarily represent the thoughts or feelings of The Phoenix and/or PhoenixvilleNews.com ownership or management. The Phoenix and PhoenixvilleNews.com also reserve the right to delete any post. Any post which contains obscene language will be removed. Any questions or comments on this policy can be e-mailed to lpettit@phoenixvillenews.com.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
8 Comments:
What's your point/beef?
Here's an idea...improve the quality of your reporting!! The last time I read your horrible paper, it seemed more like a police blotter than a news periodical.
The caption posted here is not a responsible and mature posting by someone who is supposed to be in the news business. By members of the paper staff posting a comment like this in the blog, you are "making" the news, not reporting the news- a violation of professional journalism guidelines. The loss of any small business to economic woes is not only sad for that individual, but for the community as well. The business pictured started under the idea that Phoenixville was being revitalized and the owner poured his heard earned money and time into the business, like most of us in small business have. I recently have talked to the staff of the paper and understand that the paper itself is in danger of being shut down or discontinued. Instead of working against small businesses by pointing fun at their demise, perhaps you could do a story on the difficulties of owning and running a small business in a town that is in the process of revitalizing. Small businesses are important to the American economy, nearly 50% of all businesses in the country are small busienss and employ 60% of the American workforce. I would venture to guess that small businesses (independently owned and operated) carry the load of advertising in your paper. Stop creating a chasm between yourselves and small businesses in the area with such nonsense and start showing responsible journalism.
Jane M. Tucker- Steel City Coffee House
I don't think the point of the paper or this site is to stroke the business community. The Chamber does a good enough job of that. If there is a belief that the prices were too high, it was expressed in a mildly comical way. Obviously, we don't chastise the people that believe it is overpriced and don't shop there. Why chastise those that don't patronize the place and speak their mind.
Uh-oh Phoenixville...your parochial, small-town mindset is showing!! I have to say that in a town that puts on such a FAUX "light hearted, artsy" aire to try desperately and lure Main Line money to it's dilapidated doorstep, I'm shocked at how a little bit of editorial creativity can elicit such cattiness and "outrage". READ: EDITORIAL = OPINION. It even says it in the title. I personally can't help but agree with this view, only because I'm just as likely to pay for an overpriced sandwich as I am to spend so much as a buck on a cup of Sanka made by a fleabag high school dropout.(Seriously Jane, if I dropped so much as a penny in front of your place, I'd feel inclined to pick it up.) Though you seem to get off on it, you people have no place to be snooty or talk to anyone about what they're doing wrong - the closing of Spiedie's is only a sign of things to come. You're playing "keep-up-with-the-joneses" with towns like West Chester and Media and still haven't figured out that the only way to penetrate the "frivolities" market (which is basically what you're selling for the most part - nobody NEEDS anything on Bridge St) is to price them reasonably until you're somewhat established. But welcome to Epic-Failville, where we don't pay attention to ANY of that stuff! Let's just hope Steel City is the next place to get axed- then we can fumigate the place and turn it into a nice, affordable little lunch counter.
While I both appreciate and share the Phoenix's desire to stimulate discussion on local matters, let's hope that the major tactical error surrounding this one finally brings an end to this inane series of custodial train wrecks.
I think it's wonderful the amount of discussion and emotion these blogs elicit... Hate 'im or love 'im, The Custodian does his job by attracting readers (or at least viewers). Hooray for op-ed!
Matt, may I suggest for a future Phoenix File post an interview with employees of a said "small business in a town in the process of revitalizing." As good for business as it would be to chronicle the successes/hardships of various business owners, a lot of "townies" have toiled under said business owners... and my guess is their stories would elevate The Phoenix into a "vox populis" as opposed to another PABA mouthpiece. (Dig that Steel City newsletter!)
I must say that I am amazed at the comments here. I have lived and raised my child in Phxville for over 5 years.I like to think of it as a tiny bit of home town America. We have watched the transformation as businesses have come in and changed the scenery. The trees went down and the blue lampposts went up. Store fronts have been painted and flowers have been planted. As residents who live close enough to walk into town, we try to support all of the community events. We come in for first fridays and blob fest and the firebird fest. The economy is slumping, but I still see people walking though town on Fridays and Saturdays, going to dinner and waiting in line at the Colonial. All signs that things are okay. Not fabulous maybe but okay. There have been quite a few businesses show up in the past few years. I am always amazed at peoples strength to make the decision to sign the papers, buy the supplies, have a sign made and open their doors to any and all who care to enter. There is noone to tell you that you can not go inside. There is noone to tell you that you have to buy anything. All are welcome, that's why it's such a great place to be. So why in the world would anyone want to spark such a controversy by singling out one business? I have no doubt that when this was published, it was done with, I don't know, humorous contempt? editorial sarcasm? I suppose it's freedom of speech, but why? Why would you want to be overtly nasty to someone who had the guts to open a business in a town that is undergoing a supposed revitalization, and when they find themselves faced with the unfortunate task of closing and admiting defeat, you give them a good, swift editorial kick!
I think if anyone was ever going to consider opening a business here now, and saw that particular article or have read some of the comments associated with it, the decision would be quick. Drive through, don't stop and try to find somewhere that is not so vindictive to it's residents and their businesses.
I'm sorry for the business that closed and wish them luck. I am also sorry for the person who felt that the front page of our local paper was the only was to voice their obvious contempt for said business and I also wish them well. If this is the way the local paper shows support for our community, I for one, and pretty ashamed.
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