The Low Lights: In 2 hours, 20 questions were asked about how, what and why News Star publishes what it does. 8 of the 20 questions came from the moderator. Not the audience. Rumbles were heard throughout the audience why the moderator was dominating the conversations agenda. Brian White wanted to know why there were so many crime stories and not more 'good news' stories. Sound familiar?
Other low lights: A DevCorp North assistant sitting next to DevCorp North's Sandi Price questioned Lorraine Swanson about her reporting on Morse Avenue. The assistant claimed there hasn't been a Blue light camera on Morse for a couple of years - and wondered why Lorraine concluded there was was a Blue Light Camera mentioned in her story. Well, because there is a blue light camera still on Morse. It's never moved. It may have changed it's look, but it's still there. DevCorp North knows less about it's own neighborhood than a local news reporter. Sound familiar?Police Pod on Morse Avenue - March 2008
Another Bazaar Moment: Joe Moore flunky Jim Ginderske had his flunky there. Terry Feingold asked why the Chicago Journal isn't printed in Spanish. I wonder if this flunky for a flunky called Hoy or La Raza and asked why they don't publish in English? Oh, by the way - this flunky doesn't advertise his business in News Star. Or Hoy. Or La Raza.
Audience Response: Lorraine Swanson got a round of applause when Mr. Haley introduced her to the crowd. Brian White got jeered when he said he "doesn't read the blogs". The crowd snickered at Brian White's blatant false statement.
No Shows: Joe Moore and his staff. Word circulating around the room says Joe Moore has been busy campaigning in Ohio for Barack Obama and catching the Cubs in Spring Training in Arizona. It's nice to know our tax dollars are hard at work.
Blognotes: Mr. Haley mentioned blogs play a important role in community news. Ms. Swanson said she does use the blogs (and internet bulletin boards) to get story and news ideas.
Sandy Goldman, (the Godfather to us in the Rogers Park electronic media) wanted to know why Edgewater gets covered like it's part of Rogers Park. Chicago Journal managing editor Helen Karakoudas said she's got that on 'her list' to keep track of. Karakoudas held up 'the list' to show the crowd.
Conclusion: Chicago Journal/News Star is going to continue to cover news and events locally. Mr. Haley asked that readers "share your ideas for the newspaper." He guided readers on how to submit news stories, ideas and tips to the newspapers staff.
Bottom line: Chicago Journal/News Star will not be intimidated by our local officials and the community organizations who keep covering up for such public officials when they get their hands caught in the cookie jar. And that was a relief to hear. So, as they say in the news biz, "It's game on!" Talk about 'good news'.
Friday, March 7, 2008
* Bully's Can't Bully News Star
With all the questions Lakeside Community Development's Executive Director Brian White asked last night - you'd think the guy was going to start his own newspaper.
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7 comments:
I forgot to add, when many of the audience had a chance to get a question in, they were over all happy with the crime coverage. In fact, they wanted to see more crime stories.
* One lady was unhappy CAPS 2413 didn't get better coverage.
* Another wanted the police blotter to have more details on the crimes published.
This totally contradicts what Brian White said the neighbors wanted to read.
In a neighborhood with about 55,000 residents, 45 people showed up for this event.
With all due respct, Craig, I find it very odd that you are so suprised by this outcome -- that the newspaper isn't made up of a bunch of toadies who would trade in their values and responsibilities because some two-bit community leaders want them to (as you and Tom Mannis so vehemently declard over the past few days).
This was not a meeting to somehow salvage freedom of the press. It's always been there. It was simply a meeting to hear from the new publisher of our communinity's newspaper.
Talk about your tempest in a teapot.
24/7 Toni's take on the meeting.
Other notables: Inside Publications publisher Ron Roenigk was in attendance.
yeah, what was that all about, the DevCorp North staff person criticizing the News-Star for mentioning Roger's Parks blue light cameras, and further claiming there are no blue light cameras in Rogers Park? What, is she from out of town?
if someone thinks a blue light blinking over the heart of our neighborhood is an image problem, then what say let's work together to take it down, but meanwhile lay off the newspaper for mentioning them, huh?
nothing is a bigger image problem then the cameras themselves
if there's nothing wrong with a flashing blue light over Morse then there's nothing wrong with a little ink on a page mentioning that there are blue lights on Morse
the WORDS are the problem, not the lights?
never doubt there are organized forces in our neighborhood that would greatly prefer the newspaper NOT represent reality, it was a very telling moment
Face it. DevCorp North isn't exactly a hot bed of higher thinking.
I'm not surprised only 45 people showed up, for if it weren't for poster "Jenn", I would never have heard of the event at all, and as it was, I heard too late to make other plans. I had a business meeting to go to, that I would have scheduled differently had I known.
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