After worrying about moving the Daily Times to its new facilities, has management decided to re-start publication of the Tilghman Times? Rather than commit times and resources to reporting news, the current petition drive to recall Salisbury Mayor Barrie Tilghman, Councilwoman Louise Smith and Councilman Gary Comegys have caused Gannett's local management go into overdrive defending their favorite local officials.
Up to now their tactics have been primarily limited to the op-ed page, ridiculing petitioner Jordan Reisman. Today's edition attempts to turn reporter Greg Latshaw into the hacks of old.
First of all, what was the purpose of today's article? "The Salisbury mayor and her City Council supporters say that they are baffled"? What would you expect them to say? "We're guilty and should be recalled"?
Notice that each time an article appears about the recall petition drive Mr. Reisman is identified as an "SU student" and a "Columbia native". This is an obvious attempt to play to the parochialism prevalent in our area. Do we expect the Daily Times to begin prefacing references to Shanie Shields with the monikers "black", "African-American", or "foolish"? How about identifying Louise Smith as "addled"? Of course not.
Admittedly, Comegys responds with a valid argument. This is why we have elections. Recalls should be reserved for criminal activity or gross malfeasance. While I support few, if any, of the views of either the Mayor or Mr. Comegys (neither Smith nor Shields appear capable of independent thought) I don't support the recall. This does not, however, diminish Reisman's right to initiate one.
The portion of Latshaw's article / editorial that concerns me the greatest is Smith's response:
Yet, Smith recieve a "free pass" with her comments about "unity". Smith has proven herself to be dishonest from the moment she was sworn in to office. She has violated every promise made during her run for office. Her quest to "unify" council amounts to little more than silencing her two opponents on council.
Smith constantly interrupts Campbell and Cohen. She (along with Comegys and Tilghman) engineered a set of council rules that effectively strip the minority of ALL rights. She refuses to allow any legislation from Campbell or Cohen to come to a vote. Yet, her comments are unchallenged by Latshaw.
Given Mr. Latshaw's past record covering Salisbury City Council, he should be given a mulligan on this one. However, if he wishes to maintain a reputation as a journalist (rather than a hack) he should insist that management put their names on such articles rather than his. Another option is move over to the op-ed side of the shop. Just don't print this foolishness and call it "reporting".
cross posted at Delmarva Dealings
Technorati Tags: Maryland, Salisbury, politics, Salisbury politics, media, Louise Smith, Gary Comegys, Gannett, Daily Times
Up to now their tactics have been primarily limited to the op-ed page, ridiculing petitioner Jordan Reisman. Today's edition attempts to turn reporter Greg Latshaw into the hacks of old.
First of all, what was the purpose of today's article? "The Salisbury mayor and her City Council supporters say that they are baffled"? What would you expect them to say? "We're guilty and should be recalled"?
Notice that each time an article appears about the recall petition drive Mr. Reisman is identified as an "SU student" and a "Columbia native". This is an obvious attempt to play to the parochialism prevalent in our area. Do we expect the Daily Times to begin prefacing references to Shanie Shields with the monikers "black", "African-American", or "foolish"? How about identifying Louise Smith as "addled"? Of course not.
Admittedly, Comegys responds with a valid argument. This is why we have elections. Recalls should be reserved for criminal activity or gross malfeasance. While I support few, if any, of the views of either the Mayor or Mr. Comegys (neither Smith nor Shields appear capable of independent thought) I don't support the recall. This does not, however, diminish Reisman's right to initiate one.
The portion of Latshaw's article / editorial that concerns me the greatest is Smith's response:
Smith said the petitions are "unfortunate" because they could derail her attempts to build more unity among council members.Why would Latshaw write such a fabrication without any analysis? He is obviously capable. Just below Smith's comments Latshaw raises the legitimate question any possible involvement by Councilwomen Debbie Campbell and Terry Cohen. While there is certainly no evidence of involvement with the petition drive, the question should be raised (and was).
"I would hope the petition is not a concentrated attack (on one part of the council) because I'm trying to do something completely opposite and bring all sides together," Smith said.
Yet, Smith recieve a "free pass" with her comments about "unity". Smith has proven herself to be dishonest from the moment she was sworn in to office. She has violated every promise made during her run for office. Her quest to "unify" council amounts to little more than silencing her two opponents on council.
Smith constantly interrupts Campbell and Cohen. She (along with Comegys and Tilghman) engineered a set of council rules that effectively strip the minority of ALL rights. She refuses to allow any legislation from Campbell or Cohen to come to a vote. Yet, her comments are unchallenged by Latshaw.
Given Mr. Latshaw's past record covering Salisbury City Council, he should be given a mulligan on this one. However, if he wishes to maintain a reputation as a journalist (rather than a hack) he should insist that management put their names on such articles rather than his. Another option is move over to the op-ed side of the shop. Just don't print this foolishness and call it "reporting".
cross posted at Delmarva Dealings
Technorati Tags: Maryland, Salisbury, politics, Salisbury politics, media, Louise Smith, Gary Comegys, Gannett, Daily Times
G.A., What time was ur paper delivered today?As of 9:45 am they were not in my store. Hardhead
ReplyDeleteAs of 10:45 am, still have no paper delivery. What a joke the stupid thing is anyway.
ReplyDeleteGA is right on target again, as usual. It seems the Disgrace wants it there way or no way, by backing the Tilghman machine to the hilt in there so called reporting. I am surprized at Lackshaw's colored reporting, giving the likes of Louise Smith the benefit of the doubt when actually she flat out lies about a lot of public business and transactions, not to mention her constant beating upon Cambell and Cohen at Council meetings! People like her get their judgement over time and perhaps the recall petition will do just that!
ReplyDeleteA. Goetz
zxGA & Joe:
ReplyDeletePlease post Jordan's telephone # on your blogs so that people can contact him.
Smith, Comegys and Shields,
ReplyDeleteit's a game , called"follow
the leader".
Here's the subject of the Daily Times article:
ReplyDelete"The Salisbury mayor and her City Council supporters say...."
I could have stopped reading right there. That said it all.
Is there any truth to those that say dispensary employees and certain elected officials get a special price on alcohol purchases? Everyone should be charged equally.I understand all rumors aren't true also.
ReplyDeleteCounty liquor store employees and WCLCB board members get a 25% discount.
ReplyDeleteIf you own a bar or restaurant and spend a couple hundred thousand there a year you get a 15% discount. Sounds fair doesn't it Ronnie?