Here's an idea with merit ... depending on who does the actual writing.
TRIBUNE CHEERS & JEERS: Oct. 15, 2008
Some people just need a little more praise. Some just need to be called to the carpet. In an effort to do both, The Tribune is bringing you a weekly Cheers & Jeers column in this space to do just that.If you have an idea for a cheer or jeer, e-mail it to Tribune Publisher Steve Kozarovich or mail it to 303 Scribner Drive, New Albany, 47150. We can’t guarantee we’ll use it, but cheers to you for trying.So to kick things off, we’ll start with a Harvest Homecoming edition.
Interesting, although the Tribune may find it necessary to place a cap on the number of times that underachieving city council time servers Dan Coffey and Steve Price can be jeered, lest the narrative spll over into the sports page.
For the hell of it, I have one of each, and if readers wishing to chime may do so. You need not restrict yourself to Harvest Homecoming, but I'll lead off with an HH cheer.
CHEERS
... to the Harvest Homecoming committee for making the effort this year to integrate downtown businesses into the festival, and to all the risk-taking, food 'n' drink entrepreneurs downtown whose "unofficial" efforts enlivened Harvest Homecoming this year. There was good food, drink and music all around, especially on Friday and Saturday nights. In years to come, I see an exciting "after hours" component to New Albany's annual fest.
JEERS
... to the New Albany Tribune for its current roster of guest columnists, which in recent months weeks has featured more embarrassment than enrichment, including attempted satire on the topic of sending barefoot and pregnant women back into the kitchen (Olson); a proposal to restrict the voting franchise to the elderly and taxpayers (Kettler); an incoherent plea to unite church and state owing to the inability of secular authorities to combat "evil" (Johnson); and a "thrash the straw man" attack on a New Atheism that doesn't exist.
Taken together, this right-wing drumbeat has been nothing short of a soundtrack for Leni Riefenstahl's documentary films about the Nurnberg Rallies, and encourages the view that Hoosiers in the southern half of the state have barely made it past Reconstruction in their social and political outlooks.
All of which is true ... but must we draw attention to it so often?
OK, I'm confused. From reading stuff in the past, it seems you wanted our paper to have more columns from locals. Now you are mad at what the locals have to say and that's the paper's fault? I am a lowly reporter who has no say in what goes on the editorial page and I can guarantee you most of the columns don't represent mine or many others opinion, but isn't that what America is supposed to be about? Freedom for all viewpoints? Or is just freedom for a viewpoint that is popular? Because the latter my friend is truly a Nazi-ideal. I know my publisher and editors would be more than happy to get columns from local people from the right, left, center, left of left, right of right and anything else I might have left out. You are a talented writer, but if you're not sending us something how can you be mad at us or other writers who do?
ReplyDeleteThe man has a point.
ReplyDeleteI find it amusing that Kettler and the Tribune's editorial staff confuse eels with norms.
ReplyDeleteI predict the cheers and jeers feature won't last long because so many jeers will be directed at the Tribune.
ReplyDeleteCheers to you, Roger for for offering an alternative/enhancement to Harvest Homecoming. Fringe Fest was a great event.
Cheers to the Y and all of those who worked so hard on making it a reality, even in the face of opposition that kept rearing its ugly head over and over again. I had the opportunity to take a tour last night. With such a great facility it is difficult not to be excited about exercise. And it was great to see so many people who really are in need of some exercise, including myself, touring and joining. Here's to a healthier New Albany.
I really don't like the negative aspect of this but since they asked, jeers to the Tribune for getting the information about day passes to the Y all mixed up and confusing lots of people and causing problems for the staff of the Y.
And, jeers to the Tribune for just sitting around hoping that someone will mail in something that they can put in the paper. Maybe they should solicit some quality content.
No, I have not worked for a newspaper. I am sure it is hard work, but I'd like to point out that no one gives me a pass because my work is hard. They expect high quality work, done quickly and accurately. No one excuses me or my co-workers because the job is hard. Most jobs that I have had have been that way. Why should it be different for the employees of the Tribune?
Um, I don't recall anybody I work with ever asking to be excused. And I guess the difference NA girl, is that in our work, any mistake you make or is presumed to be made becomes public fodder, i.e., blogs and the like. But I knew that getting into it. Basically whatever city you live in, people generally talk bad about their hometown newspaper.
ReplyDeleteAs for the recent Y story, I thought the daily pass numbers were correct.
Thank you Daniel for taking the time to make that point. I haven't had time lately to join in on these discussions.
ReplyDeleteWe've published a "Searching for Floyd County Columnists" ad on and off for months. I've had very few takers. I've even asked some people personally to do so but it's difficult to put yourself out there for the public to throw darts at.
However, we've added Amy as a regular and some other people have decided to submit their thoughts. We strive to make the Opinions page as local as possible — and local people have their own opinions. I try not to turn away submissions unless it's impossible because I feel we are one of few outlets for people to make their point in their own words.
I do want to clarify — and Daniel would probably agree — there's no sitting around at The Tribune waiting for anything. We asked for community involvement because they see things we don't. (Ask Randy about community journalism. I'd like to do even more soon.) Everyone here works extremely hard and does there best. But we aren't perfect. We do mess up. We do have bad ideas on occasion. I would expect readers to call us on that - literally.
Feel free to contact me personally. I don't hide from the criticism. I call the angry readers that call me. And I answer pretty much every e-mail.
What I don't understand is the general anger someone can have towards an entity like The Tribune. Nothing is personal here. But I'm sure my predecessors have crossed or angered some in the community. If it was undeservedly so, then I apologize for their malice or their incompetence. In many cases, we're dealing with manpower issues that cause mistakes. You'd be surprised at how many people think their community newspaper still has 25 people running around the community digging for the scoop. We do our best with resources we have (I personally answer and address several hundred e-mails a day as one example) and I think very highly of our current staff. For a paper of this size, we are very lucky to have a staff this qualified.
But this is no pity party. I just want the dissatisfied to know that they can vent to me personally if they like. You might be surprised by the rationality of the answers or the actual concern we have for your concerns. People in New Albany that have met me know this. (That's partially why I like it here so much.) Have I met all I should? No. But I'll get there. I also have a little girl that demands a lot of my time.
I have the feeling that this wouldn't help for news media, but if I could, I would hang out the sign on our shingle saying "Under New Management."
Steve Kozarovich
Publisher - The Tribune
I have remained quiet on this issue because I did not want to create any animosity, but I have to agree with Daniel and Steve. You cannot expect a newspaper as small as the Tribune to have an amazing number of staff that is always looking for news nor can you compare it to the likes of the Boston Globe. What kind of staff do they have?
ReplyDeleteAlso, I have seen the ads looking for local opinions so I know that they have been seeking them. If you do not agree with something that was written in the paper, write a column as a guest contributor so that people know your feelings on the issue.
Do not set around commenting on blogs about how someone else's opinion is different than your own or about the quality of guest columnists. Instead, I encourage you to have the gumption to write something for yourself and let people critize you publicly--I am sure that most people would have some sort of criticism from the public.
Remember that over the last few years the people have taken news reporting into their own hands via blogging. Why are you Daniel, Steve, and Larry reading here? Honest answer - looking for news and opinions?
ReplyDeleteI do appreciate the economic challenge of running a paper this day in age. There was a feature series last year? the Tribune ran on Gambling/Casinos effect on their local communities. It is rare today in any media to see in-depth reporting and that piece was a fine example. Also investigative journalism. It’s essential to a functional democracy and we’ve had some issues with that here. I just want to see fewer ads, less sports, and more government coverage at the least. And your web-site, while providing easy links to your top stories for bloggers, is otherwise obviously designed as a corporate one-off. Boring...
But thanks as always for the police beat.
Sorry for the delay in responding. It was a busy day.
ReplyDeleteI have great respect for Daniel's and Steve's work at the Tribune since both came on board. With that as preface, Daniel wrote:
if you're not sending us something how can you be mad at us or other writers who do?
At the risk of playing hard to get ...
Contrary to the opinion of anonymous pundit (I omit the plural tense intentionally), I seldom make exaggerated claims. I do what I do, I try to do it as well as I can, and then I move on to the other things.
I'm well aware that in many varied areas, I have little or no expertise.
At the same time, I've been submitting letters and articles to the Tribune for close to 25 years. Concurrently, I'm very proud of this blog and what we've managed to do here in four years (note that in this sense, Bluegill is an equal partner in my eyes, as was All4Word during the time his contributions were posted here).
There has been some damned fine writing here, and it's there for posterity.
Consequently, I'd be more than delighted to send the Tribune something, and to do so on a regular basis, if so desired.
Is this an offer? The "we want columnists" ad asks for the submission of three writing samples, if memory serves.
There are four years' worth of samples within.
I sincerely appreciate the responses!
The missus thinks that I'm being too cheeky with the preceding, and she's probably right.
ReplyDeleteIt may well be the case that past Tribune regimes have induced an unmerited bit of jaundice in me.
Even if recent times have been a major improvement on the serial wretchedness of earlier years, it must be noted that we've been disappointed recently, too.
For a brief time with John Tucker, it seemed as though the newspaper might have something appoximating an editorial policy, but then he pretty much disappeared sans explanation, and the promise has not materialized.
If anything, it concerns me that in the absence of an editorial policy -- and in the eyes of the local readers who don't know the difference -- these recent antebellum columns might seem like de facto editorials.
Anyway, I suppose some measure of pride is okay, but not if it makes me unrealistic. Sorry if I bit off too much.
I tried to post a while back but it didn't take so ...
ReplyDeleteRoger,
We would welcome your opinions on a regular basis. I do consider you qualified and I think I've published everything you've submitted. To be a regular columnist, we ask that there is a weekly submission so readers know when exactly to look for it. You are also well aware of our space limitations, about 900 words. I realize that can't compete with the the stream of consciousness friendly Internet but I'm confident we could make it work. If you're still seriously interested "in the morning" give me a call, drop me a e-mail or we can set up a time to meet if you'd like.
We also host the now infamous Guest Local Columnists whenever inspiration strikes them.
As for jaundice and promises broken, I won't make any promises. I hope to have a much more active opinions page but I also know I sometimes think bigger than the calendar allows. But I am trying to find ways the community can help in these endeavors as I get my publishing feet under me.
Steve
It's encouraging to see such passion on display. I know that many readers have chosen to sit out this particular kerfluffle, yours truly included.
ReplyDeleteFor the record, I have no explanation for Mr. K's reference to "Randy," if I'm to whom he's referring.
I hope that all of you can join us at Destinations Booksellers next Wednesday, Oct. 22, at 6 p.m. for what promises to be an amazing forum on the First Amendment and citizen journalism. Mr. Kozarovich has already sent his regrets, but we're certain the program will meet the high standards of this readership.
In particular, we invite opinionators of all political persuasions to discuss the topic with media lawyer John Tate, who is sponsored by the Media Law Center and the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression. ABFFE is the independent booksellers' way to ensure your continued right to express yourself without fear.
For more information, visit our Web site, which is linked on this blog's main page.
I plan on being there, although I may have to depart immediately upon conclusion (another gig at work).
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteSteve,
ReplyDeleteWhen I have a complaint I can't say to my customer, "Well, if you would just help me make my product it would be better." You must have the luxury of being in the only for-profit industry that can get away with that. It is, in fact, illegal for most of us to ask for volunteers to help us out. Sounds ludicrous when it's put that way.
Last time I checked the newspaper was a for-profit business not a co-op. Hmmm. I'm all about co-ops. There's an idea. Anyone interested?
Daniel,
ReplyDeleteLast night the Y employees were very vocal, in a nice way, about the Tribune story being incorrect. There is an impression from the story that a day pass gives access to the entire facility and the staff is very firm that the day pass being for the pool only.
If it's any comfort to you, the C-J gives the same impression in their article. Maybe it will turn out to be that the Y has failed to communicate to the staff.
na girl,
ReplyDeleteI suppose you forgot about television, top 40 radio, www.shirt.woot.com, art museums and any other businesses I can't think of in the time it takes to write this post that all use advice and material from their customers in order to provide a service or product.
Weathermen are allowed to be wrong everyday of their lives. Physicians tend to get better healthcare when they choose to get checked. Retail workers get first access to sale and clearance items. Life isn't fair and every business is a little different.
Roger,
ReplyDeleteWith all the challenges of running an expanding business, are you sure that you want to take on the additional stress of a 900 word limit? You are my friend and I am concerned about your health.
Wow, guess HB and I do have something in common!
Back to my original point, jeers=bad idea.
ReplyDeleteI agree, newspapers and journalistic for-profit businesses are very different from other for-profit businesses. Unfortunately I don’t have a lot of time to explain why I think that right now but maybe this weekend.
ReplyDeleteI am curious NA Girl what exactly you mean about Jeers=bad idea. The entire concept of Cheers & Jeers is bad for New Albany? Or are community submitted jeers a bad idea?
Randy: Sorry for the confusion. That was a poor segue to promote your free speech and internet event.
SteveK
Hey, Steve, is there someone we can write to at CNHI to complain about the lack of available resources made available to you?
ReplyDeleteEventually, someone in the newspaper business with the proper financial authority is going to figure out that cutting staff and coverage has as much to do with decreasing readership as the Internet.
Until they do, I guess my jeer is for the industry in general, through no fault of your own.
And, for the record of the long-timer population, I miss John Ed Pearce terribly. He was a childhood friend.
Jake,
ReplyDeleteI didn't say they couldn't be wrong. My point is that it does not help their business to whine and blame the customers.
By the way, Shirtwoot pays $1,000 for every design plus $2 per shirt sold for the designs they use.
Art museums use volunteers but most museums are not for-profit businesses.
The music industry allows their product to be promoted by radio stations. An interesting relationship between two industries but not a good comparison in this situation.
Asking advice from customers and soliciting content are also not a good comparison.
I think that I would like to put that na girl on my "list".
ReplyDeleteSorry NA Girl, but it is you with the facts mixed up, unless my audio recorder is also wrong. I went back and listened to the interview with Y Director Joe LaRocca again, just to be sure.
ReplyDeleteA few quotes about accessibility and the daily passes.
"There is a daily fee, an unlimited daily fee, which is different from what we do in Clark County."
"We wanted to make it full access to the facility because in addition to the aquatic center, there are a lot of other activities there that I think would be attractive to kids." Talks about the gym, X RCADE-which is very cool and the climbing wall.
"It's pretty hard, once somebody is in the building, they are in the building. We do not want to put our staff in the position of having to check everybody out and that sort of thing."
LaRocca received lots of praise from the commission for this decision.
Sorry NA Girl, looks like you got some bad info and ran with it. Now if you were writing a story, would it be fair of me to jump down your throat and accuse you of being lazy? I think you just got a taste of what reporters go through every day. We here lots of stuff from lots of sources, but it takes time to sort it out and try to get the truth because it's easy to get mixed up, Lord knows it has happened to me plenty and probably will again.
Just since I have been here, about 9 months, Steve and Shea are always asking me to look for good ideas about the Y. Our newspaper has done several stories on it since I've been here, we are definitely behind it and look forward to doing more in the future. Joe LaRocca is a great guy and if you haven't toured the Y yet, it's magnificent.
Daniel,
ReplyDeleteThanks very much for helping me make my point about soliciting jeers.
Jeers will not be submitted by journalists. I am not a journalist. Is there a requirement that the jeers be fair or even that they be true? How will you determine that?
You asked me for a jeer. I gave you a jeer. Now you are complaining about it.
I didn't make this up, but I could have. The folks at the Y are telling people that the information in your article is wrong. Seems maybe you would want to check it out--Miscommunication at Y Causes Confusion.
I would say there is a difference between an opinion and saying something is wrong.
ReplyDeleteExample- I think NABC's Pizzeria makes a mean roundhouse. That would be an opinion, or a cheers.
Example- The Tribune messed up a story about the Y and got information wrong-that would be arguing facts. Facts can be proven, whether or not NABC's deep dish is better than another pizzeria is a matter of opinion. Thus opinions belong on an editorial page, facts belong on the front page.
For the record, during my tour of the YMCA, the tour guide complained that he and his colleagues had spent most of the evening correcting what the newspapers reported, saying "they didn't quite get it right and it's been a real headache all day."
ReplyDeleteI had previously been in attendance of a LaRocca speech where he said much the same thing as Daniel wrote here and reported previously - that it would be logistically impossible to monitor "pool-only" passes, so the day pass would cover all the non-private facilities at Scribner Place.
Then, on Wednesday, thinking I knew the story, I watched the guide dry-wipe his face, shake his head, and bemoan the necessity of knocking down the newspaper report while trying to persuade people to join the Y.
What was most notable was that of the 18 or so people in the group, practically all nodded reflexively, hmmmed and tsked, and treated the news as par for the course.
As a frequent defender of The Tribune and of the necessity for a viable, reliable, profitable, and dependable common news source, I took the crowd's knowing reaction as another in a series of tiny defeats.
If the words "The Tribune" are treated as a punch line, none of us benefit. And I'd wager every single one of the comments on this post came from a desire to have a first-class newspaper - that is, from good intent to suggest how the paper can improve.
And Daniel? That's a fact. You can print it on the front page.
Hey, I'll be the first to admit when I'm wrong, but this definitely wasn't one of those times. As I said previously, people like to gripe about their hometown paper, it's just the way of America. It's no sweat, definitely not something I lose sleep over at night, but just wanted to state that in this case, I'm not wrong. I agree with you Randy that some might want a better paper, but on the other hand, America is also full of people who just like to complain and aren't happy unless they are mad.
ReplyDeleteIn an effort to go straight to the source, I spoke with Joe LaRocca this morning to confirm The Tribune's story and to ask why Y employees would be disputing it. His explanation was that many employees from different locations and backgrounds were pressed into service to accommodate all of the crowds and recent tours. This probably resulted in some incorrect information provided to people in attendance — specifically about the day passes being all access.
ReplyDeleteSteve Kozarovich - Tribune Publishera