The News-Star is a little neighborhood newspaper with great big job to do: Cover Chicago at the neighborhood level in a way the Chicago Tribune and Sun-Times are not able or willing to do. To lose the Chicago Journal's family of mighty little newspapers, or for the Chicago Journal to lose its nerve, would be a tragedy for Chicago.
But on March 6, 2008 you can witness an attempt by a bunch of self-appointed neighborhood "leaders" to bully the new publisher of the Chicago Journal papers. These "leaders" - Brian White, DevCorp, the West Ridge Chamber of Commerce and others - would prefer that the Chicago Journal papers be cheerleaders for their socialist programs. They would prefer that the Chicago Journal cave in to their veiled demands to be just another sympathetic mouthpiece for aldermen, self-appointed "leaders" and others. Source.
Blognotes: You know what's going on here, people? Tonight about 10 or so mouth-pieces for authority will converge on this meeting a demand Mr. Haley only cover 'good news' stories. These muppets will act like they speak for the entire neighborhood. They'll demand writers write about the sun coming up on a beautiful day in the neighborhood.
No doubt some of the sponsors would like the local newspaper coverage to be upbeat and happy like a PTA newsletter. Everything is great! Our students and teachers are doing great! We have no problems, we have no drugs or gangs, absolutely no high absenteeism or drop out rates – we’re just great!
Rogers Park Organizations have many websites to promote themselves, their events and their missions. That’s good and it’s also part of their task at hand. However, one task is not to tell a newspaper what it can or cannot report on. Source.
People like Brian White, Katy Hogan, Rene Carmego, Kimberly Bares, Marilyn Pagan-Banks, Mary Jane Haggerty, Kevin O'Neil and Jim Ginderske. There will be other puppet type minions too. Others, not so well known. But make no mistake, they're coming to threaten Mr. Haley and the staff of the Chicago Journal.
They'll shout down anyone who disagrees with their Utopian view of Rogers Park. Quite frankly, these bozos want to control everything.
Oh yeah, they'll threaten to not advertise. But, to be quite honest, most of these cheapskates don't advertise in the community newspapers in first place. I'd challenge anyone of these critics of the community newspaper who will stand up and speak against the newspapers content to bring in your advertising invoice statements to prove how much they've actually spent in the last 3 years in the News Star community newspaper.
Brian White. How much has he spent promoting his Lakeside Community Development organization? What about Katy Hogan. How much has her businesses spent in News Star? DevCorp North. Other than a couple tax payer funded ads, how much have they contributed to the community news? How about the Rogers Park Community Council or RPCDC? The Good News Church? Or the lame CAPS program? How many ads did the so-called union electrician or store front ambulance chaser take out promoting their services?
You all claim to support local - show us the invoices.
So, to those who want to control the community newspapers content, I've got ten words for you. If you don't like the content, start your own newspaper. But don't use our tax payer money.
18 comments:
Sometimes I feel like they purposefully stack important meetings on the same night. Here's another important community meeting happening tonight, with another session on Saturday - please consider attending to protect our lakefront!
03/06, Thursday, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m., ENVISIONING THE FUTURE OF THE NORTH LAKEFRONT PARKS BETWEEN HOLLYWOOD
AND DEVON
Presentation of preliminary design sketches for completing the north lakefront parks between Hollywood
& Devon. The meeting will be held at Berger Park(6205 N. Sheridan Road).
03/08, Saturday, 9:30 a.m. – Noon, VISIONING SESSION:
North Lakefront Devon to Juneway
Loyola Park (1230 W. Greenleaf)
9:30am History of the North Lakefront: Its Parks, Beaches & the Gaps in between - Michael Chrzastowski, Ph.D., Senior Coastal
Geologist; llinois State Geological
Survey
10:30am Envisioning the Future of the North Lakefront Parks: Devon
to Juneway
How the heck do you come to the conclusion that this meeting is somehow a forum for people to bully a newspaper?
And how the heck do you suppose anyone can bully a newspaper?
Have you been bullied into submission, Craig? Of course not.
Then, how can you possibly come to the conclusion that any such thing could happen?
I appreciate what you do for the community, Craig, but this is foil hat paranoia at its best.
All I can suggest is come to the dog and pony show and find out yourself.
"These "leaders" - Brian White, DevCorp, the West Ridge Chamber of Commerce and others - would prefer that the Chicago Journal papers be cheerleaders for their socialist programs. They would prefer that the Chicago Journal cave in to their veiled demands to be just another sympathetic mouthpiece for aldermen, self-appointed "leaders" and others."
I have to add that the above statement made by Tom Mannis (who doesn't allow comments on his blog anymore, is little more than maniacal ranting. Who the hell is Tom to represent anyone else's opinion?
All Tom has done is insult the newspaper and its staff as a bunch of sheep who will let anyone run over them and dictate the content of their paper.
It isn't always a scandal, Tom, and you don't always have to run around with your hair on fire. Sometimes it's just a meeting.
Sensationalistic crap like this is why Tom's credibility continues to diminish.
Social Service agencies don't advertise their programs in commercial newspapers. It's really unrealistic to spend valuable, limited resources in newspapers like the News Star, that's why they have websites. Craig, you just have no idea what a non-profit is or does, do you?
Just goes to show you what RP Manny knows. In my publication over the years I've gotten over 1000 not-for-profits that are advertisers. Health Centers, Churches, events, fundraisers, seminars, rallies, parades - even the city of Chicago and State of Illinois programs.
This week alone I count six not-for-profit advertisers in my magazine promoting their services and programs.
RP Manny, you have no clue what you're talking about.
Chamber of Commerce's who regularly advertise (PAID) in my publication.
East Lakeview.
Central Lakeview.
NorthHalsted Merchants Association.
Andersonville Chamber.
Old Town Chamber.
Chambers who have begged me for free advertising.
DevCorp North.
RP Manny, do some homework before commenting next time.
Valid point, Craig. Do you or Tom, however, know if any of the nonprofits sponsoring this meeting advertise in the News Star?
And when you (or Tom?) state: "Community Groups Want to Control the Press," how is it you came to this conclusion? With whom did you speak?
Finally, do your publication's nonprofit advertisers control you?
Thanks again,
YCF
THANKS FOR THE NOTICE, JENN!
I absolutely MUST start staying on top of these meetings.
Our local authorities make sure they either post notice late, or in a place where no one looks.
I get email notices from Joe Moore's office. Does anyone remember having received any notice about this important meeting?
Nope, no notice from JoMo on this parks meeting - this was sent out by Friends of the Parks.
I can't go this evening, but I'm planning on going Saturday morning. Maybe with some signs. :)
Craig, I would appreciate an answer to my questions.
Thank you,
YCF
Speaking of meetings, I arrived at the fieldhouse for boxing last night to find a sign up for a meeting Joe Moore was sponsoring for "parents and concerned citizens". It was held in one of the rooms at the fieldhouse. The flyer did not say what the meeting was going to cover. I wasn't going to give up a night of boxing to look at Moore's face. Anyone know what that was about?
I'm peppered everyday about editorial content. From readers, advertisers to non-advertisers alike.
Every advertiser wants as much extra PR for their dollar as they can get. They ask for editorial, announcements, event photos - even placement. Some organizations even ask for the cover.
I make no bones about it - regular advertisers get special treatment. They pay for it. But then, my main objective is to be a where to go, what to do, entertainment magazine. I'm not a newspaper.
I offer not-for-profit rates to those organizations that are 501-C - and I donate 1000's and thousand's of dollars a year in free advertising and top it off with quality editoral to such groups as the Glenwood Art Fair.
I appreciate the information, Craig.
As I asked before, however, do you or Tom, know if any of the nonprofits sponsoring this meeting advertise in the News Star?
And when you (or Tom?) state: "Community Groups Want to Control the Press," how is it you came to this conclusion? With whom did you speak?
Thanks again,
YCF
I do expect a set up. However, I don't think it's the community groups that will be setting up the News Star editors. The set-up will probably be Tom Mannis, making an asinine video of himself asking asinine questions. I hope he does. They are always enjoyable to watch.
Unfortunately, Tom is now simply talking to himself. He has eliminated comments, which means he will not defend any of his rantings nor entertain discussion.
His blog will either eventually reinstate comments or die off.
Seems a shame.
NorthShore School is coming done! What a tragedy! Anyone remember after leaving the ice skating rink at Leone Beach and walking thru the gangway between the apartment building and the school? At the top of our lungs we shouted ZONE OF QUIET! and ran home faster than we skated!
Who will have first dibs to build something ugly there?
You're just pissed you aren't a part of their group
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