The following two letters printed in the July 2 Explorer express our views exactly. A reporter's job is to report. An editor's job, among other things is to voice the opinion of the newspaper. Explorer reporter Patrick McNamra crossed this line in his recent report on the Oro Valley Board of Adjustment. As noted by the two letter writers, inferring that the council members who voted with intelligence & wisdom might have been compromised over a small campaign contribution is shear lunacy. It certainly is not good reporting and why Mr. McNamara felt compelled to mention it, leaves one to question his motives.
Art
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‘Unfair, unbalanced’ reporting shameful
Mr. Patrick McNamara wrote “Town to re-advertise 3 slots on board of adjustment” published June 27.
Quoting Mr. McNamara: “Two other citizens joined Pelzl to blast the appointees, prompting the council to vote 4-2 to delay its decision and to re-advertise the positions on the board. Pelzl also donated to the campaigns of Garner and Latas.”
Later, Mr. McNamara stated: “Ottoboni also gave council members a collection of letters to the editor Cox wrote to The Explorer dating back to 2003. The letters provide ‘an insight into his personality,’ said Ottoboni, who has donated money to the election campaigns of council members Barry Gillaspie, Bill Garner and Salette Latas.”
Does Mr. McNamara mean to imply that Gillaspie, Garner and Latas voted for the delay because Pelzl and Ottoboni contributed to their campaigns?
This is terrible innuendo heaped on the residents Pelzl, Ottoboni, and the council members integrity.
Shame!
Thank you,
John Musolf
Oro Valley
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In the interest of complete disclosure
When I read the article that Mr. McNamara wrote about the Board of Adjustments, I thought it was interesting that he brought a “Political Slant” to the article.
Since he mentioned that I contributed to Mrs. Latas, Mr. Garner and Mr. Gillaspie’s campaign, I would expect that he would have also mentioned that I donated to Al Melvin, Marilyn Zerull and Joe Higgins campaigns as well as volunteer for them. I was also a delegate to the Republican meeting in Phoenix. Previously I volunteered and donated to Randy Graff, David Jorgensen and Al Melvin’s campaign.
When it comes to reporting, I believe it should be complete and accurate. Thank you.
Geri Ottoboni
Oro Valley
2 comments:
Reporters don't always know when they have crossed the line. Slanted reporting is unfortunately a mainstay of the journalism "profession.
Where is the reporting on the political contributions of Don Cox and Alan Dankwerth?
Where is the reporting on the political contributions of those who speak out in favor of funding for GOVAC, the Chamber, the Convention and Visitors' Bureau, etc.?
Where is the reporting on the political contributions of those who speak in favor of phasing in development fees and other favors to developers?
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