Disappointed in newspaper coverage


Published on Tuesday, February 23, 2010 10:18 PM PST

My name is Tony Plante and I was just voted Honorary Mayor of Whiskey Flat Days. I have a bone to pick with the papers of the valley.

I was really disappointed in the lack of participation of our local papers. Why was it that all the articles had only one persons opinion or slant? Why if I’m the winner of this contest the paper never even asked me for any opinion on any item, including the mayor race. I really felt the local papers dropped the ball here. How is it that an event that hits this valley every winter and seems to be so important to the commerce of this valley doesn’t get the participation of it’s local papers.

I know your all thinking right now, “What! Did you fall down and bump your head Tony?” There were a ton of articles about Whiskey Flats. No! What happened was that our communities largest event had mostly articles written by Jill Thurman, on what was important and what wasn’t. I was very disappointed with the papers lack of effort to report on the goings on of each of the candidates. I realize this is a honorary position, but folks the organizations and the charities that we represent aren’t. These are all well deserving organizations and they deserve a much better showing of their local papers than one persons opinion.

In closing I would hope you would take this criticism with the way it was intended and play your part in your community as reporting papers and not just the Kernville Chambers voice box.

Tony Plante

Squirrel Valley

Editor’s note: For the last 15 years, Marsha Smith, current Sun publisher, has made her “Around the Valley” column space available to any and all Whiskey Flat Mayor candidates. This year, “Kernville Jill” Thurman, TurnCoat Chris’ campaign manager, was the only campaign manager or candidate to take advantage of that free space each week.

Copyright © 2012 Kern Valley Sun

Comments

7 comment(s)

    Carla Thorn wrote on Mar 2, 2010 11:16 AM:

    " As I understand it Mr. Plante, one of your supporters could have wrote an article just as Ms. Thurman did.
    I actually found her articles about the Mayor race entertaining and thoughtful to every candidate. Of course she was going to throw out a blurb about her favorin’ Turncoat Chris.
    There was no “real mud slinging” just good ole fashioned fun which is what this race is supposed to be about. I think you may be taking your position as Honorary Mayor just a tad too serious "

    Who da thunk wrote on Feb 24, 2010 3:34 PM:

    " Tony, you took the words right out of my mouth “did you bump your head”. Yes, there were articles written by Kernville Jill. Yes, you and CC also had the opportunity to write letters, but instead chose to wait until after words to write your letters. If I’m thinking clearly, who better to write the articles than the Kernville Chamber President Kernville Jill? After all it is a Kernville Chamber event. I think it is awesome that Local Charities are provided this fund raising opportunity from the Chamber. "

    opposing thought wrote on Feb 24, 2010 12:18 PM:

    " that's why I am not a journalist!
    My comment should have read:
    the facts as they are presented to and then written by the writers in the Sun "

    Editor wrote on Feb 24, 2010 11:22 AM:

    " To Justa Thought: Did you read the 'editor's note' at the bottom of the letter? Each candidate or their campaign manager had the opportunity to submit an article in Marsha's column space. Jill Thurman was the only one who bothered to ask. We heard zip from the others.
    As for CC not even getting a mention – did you actually read the article. It's right there in black and white. "

    Opposing Thought wrote on Feb 24, 2010 11:15 AM:

    " Hey justa, seems to me you need to know the difference between opinion (what your comment's were) and the facts as they are presented to and then by the writers in the Sun. "

    Justa Thought wrote on Feb 24, 2010 10:16 AM:

    " Hey Tony, as long as you have read the paper, havent you realized that the latest editorial staff is not about news, but rather opinion! One mayoral candidate didnt even get in the pictures at the end, or even mentioned!It wasnt as sensational as say a death in the valley where they could try to make it into a huge story of drugs and violence (when it was really tragedy of suicide!) Charities dont get people fighting, or talking. AND DONT FORGET JILL THURMAN TC Chris's campaign manager had influences others didnt! "

    WAAAAH wrote on Feb 24, 2010 1:30 AM:

    " Whiner. Enough already. I'd have kicked in another $500 to Chris to not have to listen to you. "

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