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Newspaper Archive of
Shelton Mason County Journal
Shelton, Washington
June 23, 2011     Shelton Mason County Journal
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June 23, 2011
 
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EDITORIAL Journalism of all stripes is the First Amendment, freedom of facing more adversity on more press and speech, in this county fronts than ever before, been under such duress. Internationally, a record Like our brethren in the number of journalists covering industry, the editors and staff news in the troubled spots of the of the Journal represent hard world were killed over the past 12 working and conscientious months, professionals, who seek to report Stateside, the big news in the activities of Mason County American journalism this week and its various political entities was the announcement of more in the best way possible. newsroom layoffs from Gannett As most newspapers, the Corp., the publisher of USA Journal also publishes guest Today and still the largest columns and letters to the editor publisher of newspapers in the as a primary vehicle for members country, of our community to exercise their Even here in our Puget Sound freedom of speech. region, there were incidents As the primary news of intimidation two weeks ago organization here in Shelton, against the Olympian and one then, it is always a little daunting of its photographers, Tony when local public officials or Overman, where vandalism by prominent citizens lash out; there malcontents causes thousands of is a certain condescension in their dollars in damages, voices about letters that should Not to mention the scores of or should not be printed or stories media attacks seen daily across that may present officials in an the country by politicians, police, unfavorable light. courts and even the public itself Unfortunately, these against journalism outlets, who discussions often degenerate to by and large, are simply trying to personal attacks or ascription do their jobs. Never before has to some sort of social agendas or motives, ofl~n where there is none. A recent example is reports about the Shelten port commission, where an investigation had been ongoing. The Journal had reported on this investigation and cited several passages from a report issued by the Seabeld Group. At least one port commissioner took the Journal reporter to task during a public meeting, even though the Seabold Group's report had been quoted, and demanded a retraction. To call out a reporter from a public pulpit during a business meeting is a bit over the top, and arguably, a case of public bullying, being that the reporter in question couldn't defend herself at the time. What is more troubling, perhaps, is that the people who use the First Amendment to express their right to free speech, such as a port commission, don't have more respect for the First Amendment right of the free press. And even the publishing of a letter is not safe ground these days. It seems certain prominent community citizens begin with the premise that if they disagree with a letter, if it offends them or their interests, then the Journal by printing the letter must somehow endorse its contents or is acting negligently in allowing such letters to make it to print. This, of course, is not true. Over a given year, the Journal prints close to 400 letters. Do we agree or ascribe to the point of views expressed in each and every one of them? Of course not. Here at the Journal, we see a lot of letters that are shameful, lazy, corrupt, boring and exploitative. Even if a controversial letter, such as the one by Theresa Rebo last week, was thought to be irresponsible, fact-challenged or paranoid, should her views on a public port commission investigation be suppressed? Some would question letters on a similar standard as front page news stories. Certainly professional reporters covering front page news deal in public facts and practice the basic tenets of source collection and interviews. The role of an opinion page with letter writers or non-professional columnists is different. A good opinion page should mirror what the temperature is in the community on matters of public concern; letters should reflect the moods, feelings, fears, imaginings, whims, speculations, suspicions in the community. As a paper, we can reasonably ask that these letters be coherent and seem to make some kind of point. And being in the public eye, such as a person or entity engaged in business of public concern, levels of public scrutiny or even criticism should be expected. It comes with the territory. Those blaming the Journal or the First Amendment for unflattering public comment are misguided in their anger and belligerence. TO EDITOR + perhaps be regarded as Public owns donations to a very good public lands cause. In the process, two things need remembering: 1) In bad times, people Editor; the Journal need parks more than ever, There wa~ a ~ound and 2) once a park is shut byte last week that was down, it is most likely gone attributed to me: "No fees, forever. No parks!" This came Long ago, I raced tiny about after reading a sailing dinghies that could New York Times article be stored on a public or (6/6/11) about state park private float for a fee. I problems that highlighted. . could also transport by car the maintenance nightmare and launch at any park or faced today by parks in street end. At the time, it general, did not occur to me that Parks are losing tax someone who could afford funds as fear grows that a big truck, a trailer, and good times will not return, a boat too big to lift would This is distressing because consider a good launching parks are especially facility a necessity rather important when people than a privilege. And of have no money. All over course they paid, just the country, park systems as I did or would. The are handing over the jewels only difference was that of our public landscape my small beat could be to private ventures, and launched for free in a public they might even bow to big space because it was simple corporations in the hope and quiet. that they have managed to There are problems in save something. Blurred Mason County when it are the visions of Teddy comes to access to water Roosevelt, John Muir, - both salt and fresh, and Frederick Olmstead and unfortunately some of the all those people we name most accessible spots for things after. With this people of limited means mental state we stand to have tainted sediments and lose what I believe is our toxic fish. "Access" does not most important American begin and end with boat contribution to the world -- launches. the concept that the public Bottom line: I do not owns public lands, and that advocate charging the it is our duty to keep it that public for general use of way. parks, but I do support Parks come into being a healthy system that through acquisition when helps to maintain parks -- something good comes especially in hard times. along, but after they are We need parks that serve developed, they must be not only focused users, maintained. Some facilities but also people who can need more care than others: start up an impromptu dedicated playing fields, game on open grass, take golf courses, boat launches, a dip, catch a fish or picnic camping facilities and the without driving all over like. During times when tax the map. If this goal means funds do not cover overall that focused users chip in, maintenance, it stands to so be it. This is not a new reason that Parks must rely idea. on expert volunteers, sugar Susan Baker daddies, commercialization Shelton or simple fees that should Editor, the Journal I am writing to let people know what a rewarding, educational and informative experience it was, for me, to attend the Spring 2011 session of the Mason County Law Enforcement Citizen's Academy. We met on Wednesday evenings for seven weeks under the tutelage of Shelton Police Officer Daniel Patton. There were speakers from all the different law enforcement groups, which monitor Mason County (WSP, MCSO, SPD and Squaxin Police Dept.). There were demonstrations relating to use of force, a K-9 unit and the Emergency Vehicle Operation Class trainers took the class through some of the paces that law enforcement officers must go through. The Mason County Prosecuting Attorney, Mike Dorcy and Municipal Court Judge, George Steele spoke to us regarding many of the legal issues, which impact law enforcement and citizens, alike. We heard from Shelton Police Detective Paul Campbell about his responsibilities to our community. One of the WESTNET detectives also came to speak and told Journal Letter Pol cy :,The Journal welcomes and mgned, ongmal lette s of local interest: We will us whatEachdecreaSeof usiSdrugbeing dOnewastrafficking.afforded tothe ish le ers that opportunity to ride along am libelous Or scurrilous with a Shelton Police Dept. in nature. Letters should be Under350 wordsand provide conta and address officer to see what they do when they are out on patrol. Every week brought us an interesting and informative session. It See Letter on page A-5 Shelton-Mason County USPS 492-800 She~ton-Mason County Journal is a member of Washington Newspaper Publishers' Association. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Shelton-Mason SUBSCRIPTION RATES: County Journal, P.O. Box 430, Shelton, WA 98584. $37 per year for Mason County addresses, Published weekly by Shelton-Meson County Journal, Inc. $51 per year in state of Washington but outside at 227 west Cota Street, Shelton, Washington Mason County, $61 per year out of state. Mailing address: RO. Box 430, Shelton, WA 98584 Telephone (360) 426-4412 .www.masoncounty.com Owned and published by Periodicals postage paid at Shelton, Washington She~ton-Mason County Journal, Inc Page A-4 - Shelton-Mason County Journal - Thursday, June 23, 2011 Rick Kennedy, publisher Advertising: Dave Pierik, advertising manager Newsroom: Harvey Morris ad representative Jesse Mullen, editor Mat Taylor, ad representat ve Kevan Moore, news editor Frbnt office: Aria Shephard, North Mason, Donna Kinnaird, bookkeeper environment, reporter Natalie Margot Brand, circulation . Johnson, reporter Cricket Carter, mailroom supervisor Composing room: William Adams, graphics Koleen Wood, classifieds/legals Becky Corr, typing Pressroom: Kelly Riordan, production manager Travis Miller press operator