The E-mailbag | Madison Taylor

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The local help column

July 12th, 2012, 7:21 am by madisontaylor

Nancy Thomas of Burlington passed along this comment in June about a new feature in the Times-News.

Madison,

Caregiver to Caregiver is an EXCELLENT addition to the newspaper!

Thanks,

Nancy

Straight and to the point. I like it. In fact, we’ve had a lot of similar responses since starting the Caregiver to Caregiver column by Ruth Johnson a couple of months ago. It’s the first locally produced advice column — or really any column at all — that we’ve added in about four years that didn’t also eliminate something else. As most know, space in the Times-News and other newspapers has been at a premium. Fewer pages always translates into fewer features.

It’s simple math.

Almost every month I turn down sales pitches by columnists or syndicated services. Some are local, others national. The answers are usually the same. It’s not in our budget or we don’t have the space for it.

It’s not a dodge on my part. Like Joe Friday used to say on “Dragnet,” “Just the facts.”

But I do usually listen to a pitch because an idea might be too good to pass up.

That’s the story with Ruth Johnson.

Late last year Ruth sent me an email asking about the possibilities for a column that would help caregivers — familiy members or others dealing with an aging mom or dad, grandparent or someone else close with a serious illness. It would take on a myriad problems or questions people in those positions — or headed that way — might have. Ruth, who has worked as a caregiver for more than a dozen years professionally and in private life, said she had personal experiences to share. She also had a good understanding of how various systems work — or don’t work and how to overcome roadblocks.

She thought the column could be a good forum for people in our community who face the daunting tasks of taking care of a loved one.

I knew immediately it was an idea with potential. I watched my mom and dad make tough decisions about how to care for their parents. I’m now reaching the age where I’ll face those same issues. I asked Ruth to send a sample of a possible column. She quickly complied. It was, as most now know, truly interesting and helpful information.

Finding space to add a column was a challenge but with Charity Apple Pierce our lifestyles editor we set Monday as a good day.

So far, so good.

Ruth says she is getting a lot of feedback from people who appreciate what the column accomplishes each week. They, in turn, give her ideas for future columns. That was her goal all along. Ruth wants the column to be interactive. Readers with questions are strongly encouraged to pose them. Comments are welcomed, too. Send your thoughts to rj@caregivertocaregiver.info or by mail to Caregiver to Caregiver, P.O. Box 125, Alamance NC, 27201.

This is an example of the kind of response Ruth is getting, by the way. Ruth sent this to me a couple of weeks ago.

“Just wanted to forward this amazing letter – a sample of the response I am now getting from readers. They are providing so much material for future columns, and I love that this column enables them to express their thoughts. Thanks again for this opportunity, Ruth”

The letter begins …

“Dear Ms. Johnson,

“I found your June 11 article regarding the letter from the daugher of a 75 year old mother who had recently moved in with her of interest. While I think a “girls day out” is an excellent idea there are many other things her mother may enjoy. I am 72 years old, recently widowed and I have been a caregiver most of my life. I was 5 when my Mother began her lifetime of illness and most days as a teen until I married, I helped tend to her needs. She was 58 when my father passed away and she moved in with my husband and myself until her passing at 92. My husband also had major health issues the last 20 years of his life and at the end Hospice and I were able to keep him in the home he loved. Yes there were days I’d rather been doing something else but someday I may need the same level of care. While I don’t want my children to have the responsibility, I know they would do the same for me as I have already seen them all do it for their inlaws.

“Initially upon my husband’s death, Hospice supplied me with a (grief) counselor whose advice I availed myself of for a year and I would recommend counseling or a support group be considered. Eventually I was fortunate to have found a wonderful retirement community to call home and while I initially thought I would just sit and watch TV I have found it to be just the opposite. I am enjoying life again! I would encourage the daughter to get her mother involved with other seniors. The senior center in Burlington is excellent and the Y offers swim, yoga,Tai Chi, etc. I take Tai Chi 2 days a week and Zumba 3 times a week — one member of our class is 85! Exercise is so important at our age to keep us mobile as is lifting weights so we can continue to get up from a our chairs! Needless to say overall health and new hips have to be considered as well as an ok from her Dr. With so many parks here, take a walk and then maybe a picnic lunch — good for both mother and daughter. Check too with ARMC; they offer many programs and there just might be a right fit. While exercise is important just getting together with other seniors who have like interests is also important. If exercise is not an option, perhaps it might be playing cards at the senior center or one of their other activities. She may find that she develops friendships that will expand outside the senior center with movie, shopping or lunch outings to look forward to. Without all of the new friendships I’ve made and programs I have availed myself of, I would not be where I am today — enjoying life again. Of course I have ”down” days and have some health issues I must be cognizant of but for the most part life is good — I even tried zip lining recently!!! Loved it!!! My children (all of whom live out of state) are delighted I am enjoying this final phase of my life although the zip lining did have them shaking their collective heads!!

My point is there are opportunities for us seniors whether at church, the senior center, ARMC, the Y, etc Check with the various senior organizations and find out what is available. If “Mother” is enjoying life again, life will be easier for her daughter who should checkout the Caregiver Support Group offered by Alamance Elder Care — she is not alone!!

I am delighted there is finally a column for those of us who have been or are caregivers; it is long overdue.

Sincerely,

A Loyal Reader”

Letters like this one let me know we made the right decision in adding Caregiver to Caregiver. It’s a column that gives people news they can use — an old but true cliche — while making an impact on their lives.

It’s what writing a local help column is all about.

Posted in: Inside the Times-News • The e-mailbag | Post a Comment »

The emailbag: May holdovers and an early start on June

June 7th, 2012, 10:13 pm by madisontaylor

I’m just now getting around to the email from May — but first I want to address a couple that arrived in June. Both are timely.

The first is from Nancy Thomas who contacts me regularly about one thing or another. I had a chance to meet Nancy face to face in May when we hosted a presentation on Alamance County history by Don Bolden at the Paramount Theater. Nancy was in the audience and introduced herself. It was great to see her.

Here goes.

“Madison,

“Caregiver to Caregiver is an EXCELLENT addition to the newspaper!

“Thanks,

“Nancy”

MY TAKE: I agree. When Ruth Johnson contacted me a couple of months ago about starting a caregiver column I wanted to hear more. After all, I talk to people regularly who have questions about how to handle an aging parent or other family member. Usually I have no idea how to answer their questions. I asked Ruth to send some examples of her work and I was blown away. It’s great advice that’s also engaging for readers. She hopes people in our community will contact her so she can make the column as local and people-oriented as possible.

Check it out.

Then I got this note from Nancy Stoppelkamp of Graham, who writes letters to the Open Forum.

“I do hope you will continue with your job and the nature of your paper will not change!!!. I’m praying for this.”

MY TAKE: Nancy sent the note after the story in last week’s newspaper about our pending sale to a new company. At the moment, I have no reason to believe that anything will substantially change. I have no plans to go anywhere. While it’s too early to answer any specific questions, just know that everything is operating normally at the moment. We will be undergoing some changes in the next few weeks, but readers probably won’t notice.

A monumental thank you

Got this pat on the back from Jeff Tudor of Graham about a column I wrote upon returning from Washington. Made my day.

“Congratulations on your thought-provoking piece in Sunday’s paper. I have toured those same monuments on a number of occasions with children on elementary school field trips and have never failed to be moved by the experience.

I also share your disdain for pandering politicians. As I have expressed to you in an earlier email, I thought the recent Amendment One was political pandering at its worst. Will Amendment Two assert that Jesus Christ is the One True Way and that the state should not recognize any other religion? It could happen.

MY TAKE: Thanks!

Letters to the editor and then-some

When people send in letters to the editor or Open Forum via our online service the sender usually gets a ping back. It lets the letter writer know the message was received. The problem? The sender usually get a copy of his or her letter in return with some garbled words and symbols. Here’s a note I got from Pete Glidewell about it and he also had a suggestion.

“I hope the quotation marks and apostrophes don’t show up the way they do below. I think I also faxed a copy to you. Thanks for being willing to put this in.

“A suggestion for the paper, by the way, is to do the letter to the editor thing also on the sports page…”Letters to Bob” I can’t imagine how the State fans would drive the Carolina fans nuts. It would be fun to watch and you could do it one day a week on Thursday when the section is separate.”

MY TAKE: Many readers have the same concerns when they get the notices back by email. But almost always the letters come in as sent without the garble.

As for his suggestion about a letters section in sports, we have done that in the past when space allowed. There should also be a steady number of letters. If we ever reach the latter, we’ll deal with the former. Personally, I’d love a sports letters feature.

Everyone is edited — for a variety of reasons.

A reader sent this message along because he didn’t like his letter to the Open Forum edited.

“You know Madison, you said if i got it down to 350 words, you’d publish it. you never said you’d CHANGE MY WORDS! what’s the point of freedom of speech if this speech is censored unnecessarily?!?!? I feel fairly confident I’m a better writer than you. you’ve got some nerve.”

MY TAKE: This is what I wrote back to this letter writer.

“Thanks for sending along your thoughts. And you’re right, I do have a lot of nerve. It’s what I’m paid to do as editor here. Everything in the newspaper is edited in some way. The changes in your letter were mainly deletions of items that open doors our newspaper does not wish to kick down at this point on our opinion page. Should Romney’s faith become a huge issue then we will let it be fodder for commentary — but even then we would not allow it to be handled in an offhand fashion.

“The matter of a political candidate’s faith is a touchy subject and one I delete frequently when it veers into certain areas. I do the same for all candidates.

“Again, thanks for letting me know your feelings about this.”

Yes, the Open Forum is open — to a point. Letters are always going to edited for offensive content, scurrilous accusations, potential libel or for subjects that aren’t suited for the forum itself. The letter in question was supposedly about Amendment One then turned sharply into a screed about Mormonism. I couldn’t allow it.

Hard as it is to believe sometimes, work is edited here at the Times-News — mine included. Those who don’t like it are welcome to post things on their own websites.

Arrrgghhhh

And I got this from Al Musiciano, a reader I always love to hear from, even when he wants to call us out for a bad headline, as is the case this time.

“Madison,

“Re: Woman fatally shot multiple times outside of Chapel Hill school

“Don’t want to be too picky, but I believe a person can only be fatally shot once.

MY TAKE: As always, thanks to Mr. Musiciano and others who bring up the weird things we do sometimes. In a rush to write a headline, stuff like this happens.

Thanks to one of our columnists

Had a nice note last month about our weekly religion column written by Bob Felts, the lead pastor at Brookwood Baptist Church. Here it goes.

“Just wanted you to know that I read you every week and enjoy your wisdom. Today, I felt like you wrote it just to me. For I am going through a great depression period and of course am seeing someone that can help me. Your article was such a inspiration to me this a.m. I know that I mask the pain I feel by thinking of some of the things you said. Lucky for me my husband understands and I am very active in my church. If it were not for that I would fall in the category of some of the temptations you mentioned. … Thank you so much for today’s article – I will keep it with me so I can read it when temptation comes. I look forward for the Sunday that I can come to your church and hear you preach. My prayers are with you and your health. Looking forward to next Sat. article.”

MY TAKE: Anytime one of our columnists helps a reader it’s great news for us all. Thanks to Bob for what he does and for his courage over the past couple of years writing about his battle with cancer. I’m sure his words inspired and comforted many.

Posted in: The e-mailbag | Post a Comment »

The April-March emailbag: The leftovers are still pretty tasty

May 2nd, 2012, 6:21 am by madisontaylor

I was slow tending to the email here — although I answered most of these personally already. And a few emails for March and April were handled in earlier posts.

Here’s a sample of what’s left from the items readers send in.

About that Elon poll …

Got this one from Warren Pegram — among the last batch for April. Mr. Pegram is a regular letter-writer and a member of our Reader Advisory Board.

He’s got bug about the Elon poll — largely how it’s conducted.

Here goes.

“As one of your LTEs recently pointed out, Elon couches their question so to direct the desired result. As I had concerns about Elon ‘polling’ students, any poll they do appears to be more ‘mind-bending’ than proper statistics.

“If you want the Times-News from falling into the ‘entertainment’ variety of media aka Chris Matthews description, you must require Elon to provide you with at least the actual question they polled. Preferably, you’d get the sampling plan too; i.e. the calls distributed among the area by precinct. I’ll bet they are nowhere near accurate representation of the voter pool.”

MY TAKE: We regularly state in stories that Elon’s poll is not conducted among registered or likely voters. So there is no precinct map. It’s pretty much cold calling via land lines and cell phones. It’s one of the few polls out there using cells — but will eventually follow. One day, there will be no landlines. Simply a fact of life.

Otherwise, the folks at Elon pretty much provide a lot of the information Mr. Pegram describes. Every poll that comes to the media comes with an attachment describing how the polls are conducted.

Caution when taking photos

Here’s one from our friend Susan Holland, who works with the Times-News frequently on any number of projects. She had an observation shared by others.

“To my friends at the Times-News:

“While I LOVED your photo of kids playing outside in the fresh air (no electronics required!), I remain concerned about promoting that it’s fun and cool to ride without a helmet — particularly while catching air. Yes, I’ve beat this drum before, but it remains high on my list of personal soapboxes. While these children were on private land, they would have been breaking state law, if they were riding without helmets on a public right of way.

“Thanks to your fabulous NIE program, the Times-News is in the hands of many local students. I implore you to consider omitting images, such as this one, that sanction (perhaps even encourage) such risky behavior in our impressionable children.”

MY TAKE: We hear from readers often about photos of children at play. Sometimes it’s about proximity to lawn mowers — especially when parents allow their kids to ride with them on lawn tractors. Other topics include kids riding bikes without helmets, walking on railroad tracks or skateboarding in high-traffic areas.

It’s not our goal to promote unsafe behavior but it’s also not our idea to avoid it either. Our photographers take pictures of things they see in the community. If it’s a risky behavior, perhaps it might generate discussion for parents and their kids and a move to more safe ways of playing.

And we do take the suggestions of readers on this matter. A recent Monday graphic on our Region page was sparked by a call from Ann Hobgood about kids being allowed to play near lawn mowers. Many in our community remember the tragic case of Mason Lumley, a child involved in a lawn-mower related incident. It’s something we always think about.

Thank you notes always appreciated

Our lifestyles editor Charity Apple Pierce received this nice note form Martha Hamblin, an artist featured in a recent Times-News story.

“Hi Charity,

“It was a pleasure to see you and Sam at Jill’s house. Thanks so much for the lovely article you did about our art show benefitting Loaves & Fishes. I’m sure they will benefit much more as a result of your piece. As always, you did a terrific job, and we appreciate it!

“You probably don’t remember coming to our house about 15 years ago to interview my husband, John Powell. He had published a thriller, The Nostradamus Prophecy, and you wrote a great feature about it. At the time I was struck by your relaxed and very competent interviewing style. You’ve honed that to an even finer degree—if that’s possible—and do an excellent job.

MY TAKE: Charity passed this along to me and I’m glad she did. It always makes my day. I’m positive it made hers.

A walk down memory lane

Got this from Mike Newsome after my column this past weekend about former Times-News staff members and where they are these days. Mike remembered Jo Craven — now known as Jo Craven McGinty.

“Your article in Sunday’s paper brought back memories of Jo (then Craven). In the late 80s while working at the Times-News Jo for a time rented a room from my then-girlfriend Paula. Jo was dating a guy going to Elon College, Randy was his name I think. The four of us would occasionally do things together, and that year Jo and Paula decided it would be a great idea for all of us to hike to the top of Grandfather Mountain on New Year’s Day, have a picnic, then drive back home. On the hike up we saw rime, which is fog frozen on above-ground surfaces, so you can guess what the temperature was like. We had a nice time but on the way back it started raining and the wipers on Paula’s car started going in and out, then out altogether. I rigged up a cord tied to one wiper, thru the back window (this was a station wagon), out the other window, then tied to the other wiper. Randy would pull one way then Jo pulled the other. It worked like a charm but you should have seen the stares and laughs we got driving down I-40. Jo wrote an article about our adventure and one of the artists even had an “artist’s rendition” of the car included.

“Thanks for the memories,

“p.s I used to teach karate back then thru the Parks and Recreation Dept. and Jo was one of my students”

MY TAKE: This is one of my favorite notes of recent vintage. Nice to be able to return readers to a place they recall with fondness. And it’s another reminder of how great a person Jo is. That’s one reason I like to update people on the whereabouts of former newspaper staffers. All or most lived here for a time and touched the lives of others along the way.

I did have one reader who called and took me to task for not mentioning our longtime and now retired photographer Jack Sink. I’m afraid he missed the point of the column. Jack still lives here and we write about him frequently. He’s still making quite a mark in the community — one we’re likely to note during our 125th anniversary celebration.

Reflecting upon Webster

Had a lot of verbal response to my column in March about the statement made by Alamance County Register of Deeds Hugh Webster at the county GOP convention — the one where he used the “R” word to describe state judges.

Here’s one of three emails I received about it. Two became letters to the editor.

“I agree 100% with your opinion of Hugh Webster! I am ashamed of him in many ways. He is a poor representation of the real people of Alamance County and of the Republican Party. To be honest, I just feel sorry for the man. Where is his pride for his position, his party, his county and his family? I have a lot of opinions on things but have learned that we should keep certain things to ourselves and when we do share them to be as kind as possible if they are negative. Someone can be hurt by remarks that come out of your mouth before they go through your head. I understand that was the case the night of his remarks. People were hurt and I personally am sorry for that. But the real hurt is that the man has no remorse for anything he says or does. I’m proud of the Republican Party. (But) If there were giggles and snickers in the crowd there the night Mr. Webster made his comments then shame on all of you also.

“Without the Republican Party sticking together and working together to improve the party, we have no chance to change the situation we are in or to change our future. Please be careful what you say and do that puts our party in a bad light. One bad apple need not spoil the whole party!”

MY TAKE: Like Ali-Foreman — there’s no need to throw the last punch.

The giving soul

Eddie Hall of Graham weighed in after my latest column about an anonymous “friend” who sends money to people in need through me. Here’s what Mr. Hall had to say.

“What wonderful and generous individual, to give of his resources to those in real need! Because of his concern, compassion, and love for those he does not even know, states that he is a real HERO among us! Yes, he makes me too, proud to be an Alamance County citizen! To Mr. Taylor’s mysterious friend: Thanks for making a difference, and if you don’t mine, may I call you, my friend too!”

MY TAKE: I agree wholeheartedly.

Our battles with English

Getting this kind of message doesn’t make my day — but I am glad readers will take the time to do it.

“We need all the help we can get from the Times-News regarding our grammar. One headline and one sub-headline each contained the misuse of the word “on.” The front page top headline stated, “Company still waiting on Army contract.” The front page of the second section included the sub-heading, (Elon) “Town had to wait on approval from railroad company.” We do not wait “on”, we wait “for”. The contract and the approval could collapse under the weight of the respective company and town. Please pass the word along to the staff.

Thanks,

Dan Kuhn”

MY TAKE: Every time I hear from a reader on a subject such as this one, I learn something. In the newspaper business, we have many different specialities. Grammar was never one of mine — but I try to get better every day.

Posted in: The e-mailbag | Post a Comment »

It’s never too late to say ‘thanks’

April 6th, 2012, 6:26 am by madisontaylor

I learned a lot this week from one email. That’s not so surprising, I guess. Newspapering is a line of work in which knowledge comes in waves. Some takes hold and roots but most of it only lands for the short time needed for a story. Then it’s blown asunder like dandelion seeds. If I could remember all the things I’ve forgotten, well, I’d be in a business that paid more money.

Anyway, this email spoke pretty loudly. It told me one thing I knew, but it was good to be reminded. The other I had no clue about.

Last things first. What I learned was this: It’s never too late to send a thank-you note.

And when I say never, I mean never.

This week I got an email from Harold Brammer of Elon. He’s an artist who grew up here, left here and recently returned here. I only know him via our correspondence, which began on Wednesday morning. He sent along a message of thanks for a story that appeared in the Times-News in 1975 when he was a student at East Carolina University.

It was a small story in the grand scheme of things. A feature about an artist making his way in the world. But it had large and enduring impact on his life.

A lot of our stories do that, whether we realize it day to day or not. I tell folks that I frequently deal with people on the worst days of their lives or their best. It’s too easy to remember those that fall in the first category.

Nice stories aren’t the ones that keep editors and reporters awake at night.

Anyway, Mr. Brammer has a small exhibit of his sketches on the wall at May Memorial Library for the month of April. Here’s what he wrote to me this week.

“Just a quick note to acknowledge that as I was putting up a Sketch Portrait Exhibit at the May Memorial Library for the month of April, the exhibit contact there brought a treasured newspaper photo and caption to my attention — from the long ago past of me and my art. The library had hosted My East Carolina University Senior Art Exhibit back in 1975. It still remains such a treasured memory since your newspaper featured me and my important creative life event. It was so great that the Times-News gave my show such focused regard, and I am still grateful for that gift to this day.

Thanks for the attention you give all the creative endeavors of artists and craftspeople all around the area, as I think your publication continually does an exceptional job in that regard.

I hope the Times-News staff will get by to see my Sketch-Pencil Portrait Show through April. I guess this exhibit is my career resurrection effort — after moving back to the area about six to seven years ago to provide caregiving to my parents.)

In closing, I am wishing your staff the best. Bravo to you all for your fine creative efforts in providing this area with a great newspaper to be proud of !”

I, of course, wasn’t here in 1975. I passed the note to Don Bolden, who was. I also sent a copy to Charity Apple who is editor of our lifestyles section today. As Mr. Brammer notes, we still spend a great deal of time writing about the arts and artists in our community.

Don thought the thank you note was just as cool as I did.

“Madison, that is special indeed. You just never know when something runs how it will affect people, even 37 years later,” he said.

I couldn’t agree more. I still run into people from my 1980s days in sports who have fond memories of things I covered or wrote about it. At the time, it was just doing my job.

We will continue to focus on creative people in our community. They’re part of what makes our area rich and special. I want to thank Mr. Brammer for noticing what we do and for his compliments. Believe me when I say his kind words are much appreciated.

And if you want to go see Mr. Brammer’s work, go left as you enter May Memorial and check the wall by the checkout desk and above the computers.

Great faces.

Posted in: Inside the Times-News • The e-mailbag | 2 Comments »

Amendment One: Dazed and confused

April 2nd, 2012, 10:11 am by madisontaylor

The public is confused about Amendment One, the constitutional amendment vote regarding same-sex marriages that will be put before state voters in May. Not hard to believe. Nearly all amendment votes in any state involve some amount of head-scratching largely because of how they’re worded. It’s legal stuff. In some cases it’s mumbo-jumbo and in others it’s intentionally misleading.

I’m not sure the latter fits in this particular case. My hunch is both sides on this debate want the vote to be pretty clear.

The GOP-led legislature voted to put the measure before voters in spite of some question about the amendment’s ability to stand up to national constitutional scrutiny and the fact that gay marriage is already not legal in North Carolina. Even Speaker of the House Thom Tillis seems fuzzy about the whole thing now, saying recently that he thought the amendment would pass in May but be changed over time down the road.

So it’s easy to understand why the people voting on it have questions. Here’s one I got from a reader via email last week.

“I believe the public needs some education — through a very informative newspaper article — about the upcoming North Carolina Same-Sex Marriage Amendment vote. And a “cut-out” chart would be helpful for the people to carry with them to keep the “For” and “Against” clear.

As I understand it, voting FOR the amendment means that one is voting AGAINST the right for same-sex marriages, and voting AGAINST the amendment means that one is voting FOR the right for same-sex marriages. Please tell me if I have it wrong.

The wording is quite misleading, and many people may vote opposite from the way they feel and actually want to vote.

This would be a great public service on the part of the newspaper. Running something fairly soon, and then having a follow-up “reminder” story closer to the voting date would clarify this.

I will not tell you how I plan to vote because that has no bearing at all on having these educational stories run.

Thank you for helping the public understand all of this.”

MY TAKE: It is, indeed, confusing. And for the record, this reader has it mainly right in terms of what a vote for or against Amendment One means. But I do think it’s a good idea to explain the issue better in upcoming editions of the Times-News. We’ll certainly do so.

The bottom line is this: A vote for Amendment One bans gay marriage, civil unions and domestic partnerships in North Carolina— at least until a court rules otherwise.

How the amendment is worded, though, isn’t the only point of confusion. According to a new poll conducted by Elon Universityand released today, answers about the question of gay marriage an same-sex unions vary according to how a query is posed.

The new poll indicates that six out of 10 people inNorth Carolinaoppose an amendment to the state constitution that prevents any same-sex marriages, domestic partnerships or civil unions. Meanwhile, 32 percent support the amendment.

Other findings include:

Thirty-eight percent say they support full marriage rights for same sex couples, up from 36 percent in February and 33 percent in November.

Twenty-nine percent oppose any legal recognition for same sex couples, down from 32 percent in February and 35 percent in November.

Support for civil unions or partnerships for same-sex couples, but not full marriage rights, was at 29 percent, one point higher than in February 2012.

The entire thing is such a morass that the Elon poll folks issued an editor’s note with today’s results. It reads:

The March poll’s question on a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage represents a change to the way the Elon University Poll has asked respondents about the issues involved in a ballot measure. In previous surveys, the poll asked whether respondents would support or oppose a constitutional ban only on same-sex marriage rights. In the February 2012 poll, a second question was added, asking whether respondents would support or oppose a constitutional ban on domestic partnerships or civil unions.

In the latest poll, all three components – marriage rights, domestic partnerships and civil unions – were included in the wording of one question.

Poll leaders caution against using previous data about a constitutional amendment to draw conclusions about direct shifts in attitudes toward such an amendment.

As far as the Times-News editorial stance on the issue goes, we’re opposed to the amendment for a variety of reasons, but the largest is the question of whether it’s the government’s job to tell people who they can or can’t marry — or whether a church has to sanction a marriage that violates its principles on religious grounds.

The government needs to stand down.

Posted in: Just thinking out loud • Politics too complicated for politicians • The e-mailbag | 4 Comments »

Wordsthatruntogether

March 31st, 2012, 1:52 pm by madisontaylor

I got a note via email from Vicky Isley Friday with a question about something that’s been a problem on our website for more than a week — and every so often prior to that. Here’s the note.

We subscribe to the Times News hard copy for the sake of my husband, but I almost always read the online version. For months I have noticed that in the online version text runs together as if someone forgot to use the space bar. I have commented on it once and have noticed others commenting on it as well. I don’t know if it’s a font issue or code issue, but I do know that it is EXTREMELY annoying. Can you please investigate and try to find someway to fix it? I thought at first that it was an issue with reading it on an ipad, but have noticed it on the computer screen as well. It is apparent several times in the story about the children’s museum.

MY TAKE: I wrote Vicky back and let her know that we thought this particular problem was solved. It had occurred every so often for a little while but our tech support people in California addressed it, or so we believed.

Then about a week ago our online posting system crashed. Needless to say, when the system was restored, the problem of words running together returned with a vengeance. Believe me, our stories are typed in correctly. But when we copy the text and insert it into the window in our online software, the computer converts certain words into one. Our suspicion in the newsroom is that it has to do with the tagging system the computer program uses to make stories easier to find via search engines. Notice that usually the words that run together are AlamanceCounty or inBurlington, etc. Once again we have in a request for corporate tech support wizards to solve this problem — but they have not as yet.

What we try to do is manually go in and find the erring words and separate them. Sometimes the people who post our stories forget. Sometimes, we just miss a few.

Believe me, we know it’s annoying. I’m hoping it can be repaired soon.

Thanks for your patience.

Posted in: Coming soon online • The e-mailbag | Post a Comment »

The February emailbag: Hometown hero; more on mugs and unreadable when wet

March 6th, 2012, 9:10 am by madisontaylor

A hometown kid who made good — and is still making good, very good — was the subject of an email I got from Faye Dennis of Burlington and tops the February emailbag. Faye’s a Frank Haith fan. Me too.

Here it goes.

I may have missed any updates on Coach Haith’s outstanding season withMissouri. Being from our county, I would like to read more of him as they are doing super great. As Bobby Knight says super good guards. This week’s SI has mentioned him as their selection Coach of the Year.

Thank you, Faye

MY TAKE: I first met Frank Haith about, oh, 20-some years ago when he was a student at Elon just trying to hang out with the team and learn all he could from the coaching staff. From my standpoint it’s been a joy to watch him succeed at all his stops, including assistant stints at Elon and Wake Forest then the head coaching gig at Miemi. Now he has a top 10 team at Mizzou. Our sports guys have tried to post any stories they see about Frank that move over the national sports wire by the Associated Press or McClatchy News Service — and not just the ones about the scandal at Miami and what occurred there under his watch, an investigation he is, by all accounts, cooperating with fully. I’m also following Missouri newspapers on Twitter and Frank — although Frank doesn’t tweet very often. Sad to say there is a fake Frank Haith Twitter page. It’s not very complimentary.

We’ll try to keep up with Frank and his Tigers in the NCAA Tournament.

By the way, I like stories about hometown kids who make good. It’s my favorite thing to put in the newspaper.

Is that a sports term?

On the front page of (a February) Sports section, I found a word that I am not familiar with. That word is “percision.” It is in the headline of the story by Adam Lawson about the Cummings boys basketball team’s win over Jordan-Matthews. Is this merely a misspelling or am I just not knowledgeable about new words?

M. Larson

MY TAKE: There is no such word, and I think Mr. Larson is well aware of it. People like to get in a dig now and then. It’s what we’re here for, really.

Adam Lawson himself alerted me to the mistake online — and it was fixed. It was too late to correct in our print edition. Adam himself didn’t make the error. Writers don’t usually put in the headlines.

I’ll vouch for our sports staff. They put in long days and tons of hours. Sometimes they make a a mistake in the rush to get the pages out on time. An unfathomable amount of work is done in their department between 10:30 p.m. and deadline time at 12:15 a.m. And when they do make a mistake in a head, they always feel awful afterward.

Mugging the mugs

Our new online Alamance County Clink feature has tons of fans and some detractors. I posted earlier about how popular the mugs of those in the Alamance County Jail are with readers — two week ago we had an all-time record for page views in a week with more than 930,000. Here are two opposing takes on publishing the mugs.

First, the pro-mug point of view.

Just have to tell you it is simply SHAMEFUL how much my friends and I are enjoying the daily mugshots posted on FB! **The snarky headlines are the best!**

I just wish you could follow up with a “whatever happened to … “ feature in the paper. Even criminals want their 15 minutes, right? I bet it would be even hotter than the Sunday weddings and engagements!

Now the con, er-uh, make that against-mugs point of view.

Have you considered how many innocent people’s pictures you are posting and POSSIBILITY of ruining there lives?

Tom Allred

MY TAKE: I have a love-hate relationship with publishing the mugs. As Mr. Allred correctly points out, because people are arrested is not proof of guilt. That’s for a court to decide, not the newspaper or a website. Some are charged with relatively minor offenses and are now being subjected to possible ridicule or ruin as a result of publishing the photos.

That’s why I’m very opposed to print publication. Ultimately that won’t be my call, but I should have a substantial say in whether we do so or not. I believe the publisher is on my side on this one.

On the pro side of printing crime mugs, if we don’t someone else will — and in some cases already are. It’s a poor business decision on our part to simply ignore them completely. I can live with online publication.

More on Frances and Tom

Every so often I try to update readers about the status of Tom Woody, husband of longtime Times-News columnist and newsroom go-to administrator Frances Woody. She remains out looking out for Tom who’s still at Duke Hospital where he’s doggedly battling esophageal cancer. It’s been a horror show for them both. I know Tom had surgery on Tuesday to try and relieve fluid in his lungs. I haven’t been able to speak to Frances about Tom’s health after the procedure. We hear from one of their daughters that he came through the surgery as well as could be expected — but prayers are in order for those so inclined.

Meanwhile, Frances’ many fans and friends are clamoring for information.

Frances Woody is a columnist of delight and YKW (Tom Woody) is the main man in their love story. May God bless them very specially now. Please let them know we readers thank them for sharing a love story to which we can relate and have missed these lastmonths. Thanks to the Times-News editor for giving this update. We continue to send prayers.

Ellen Lawrence, Hawfields Child Care, Mebane

Here’s another.

Thank you for your update on Tom Woody. I am sure they want their privacy, but there are loyal readers who are very concerned about Tom and Frances and miss her greatly!

MY TAKE: When I know more, readers will know more. Please keep them in your thoughts.

The Open Forum should be more selective

A reader takes us to task for publishing a letter they feel isn’t up to standard.

The letter published in the Open Forum on Feb. 16 was full of unsubstantiated allegations. That is the polite way to say the writer was uninformed. President Obama has expelled more illegal immigrants that Bush had in eight years. Acorn is not registering illegal immigrants. There may be groups doing this but the local registrars will be able to stop any illegitimate applications for voting rights. The border patrol is currently sending back border crossers, and taking them well intoMexicoto prevent their re-entry, which has been a problem.

I enjoy the comments of fellow citizens, but I believe your paper has a responsibility to stop any publication of complete falsehoods. Opinion is not something that can be proved or disproved. But when someone states such outlandish factual information, it is your responsibility to at least fact check it for some accuracy before you misinform the reader.

Diana Muller

MY TAKE: I understand Ms. Muller’s point and we do delete a ton of objectionable and false statements from many of our letters prior to publication — or we spike the letter entirely. I’m sure we miss a few on both sides, though. But it’s also an Open Forum and one that should be opinionated. I try to include as many different points of view as possible. It wouldn’t be right for the forum to be too exclusive.

And, I’ve found, with a multitude of media sources today there are several different varieties of truth — much like the old cereal variety packs your mom used to buy. Can’t say I believe that to be a positive thing.

Two-pronged complaint

No lead-in really necessary here. Read on.

Mr. Taylor:

I am sending this email hoping that something can be resolved with the continuance of me receiving WET NEWSPAPERS!!!!!!!!! This has happened three times in the last week; have you ever tried to read a wet newspaper? Not a very pleasant experience; pages with not come apart, you end up with black all over your hands, clothes and even furniture. I tried calling your newspaper to express my dissatisfaction only to get a recording saying ‘call cannot be completed because of high Internet usage’ or something of that nature; and after calling about five times or more someone answers the phone; you try to get help to resolve the problem only to be told that was not their department and then are switched over to someone else and all you get is a recording. Now, how unhappy do you think I am right at this moment with the Times News????? I do not know who the carrier is for my area but someone needs to express to them the need for your subscribers to receive a dry newspaper.

I am already so dissatisfied with your paper because of the coverage (or lack of) your writers show to the Duke basketball team. It seems no matter how good Duke is playing your writers always have to insert their negative comments regarding Duke even when they win the game. When UNC wins, they get BIG SPLASHY pictures on the front page and write ups on several pages of the sports section; if Duke wins they are lucky to get just what your people feel has to be printed even though it is probably thru gritted teeth by your writers who are so obviously Tar Heel fans. This hardly seems fair to me; not all residents in this area are UNC fans.

Can you tell I am really unhappy with the Times News. Don’t bother trying to get me another newspaper today or even any other day when my paper is wet; it just adds to my dislike for your paper and encourages me to cancel my subscription.

You have a nice day.

Olivia Tyre

MY TAKE: Whew!

On the subject of wet newspapers, one big problem is that the carriers aren’t actually employees of the Times-News. They are independent contractors. As such, we can merely suggest what they might do to better protect newspapers from the rain. We offer suggestions, it is the carrier who makes the final call. Todd Benz, who heads our circulation and reader development department, though, is aware of the issue and will continue to impress upon carriers the importance of getting our subscribers a newspaper they can actually read.

We all apologize for any problems you are having in this area.

As for the criticism of the sports staff I can honestly say that the complaints we get about coverage of UNC and Duke is about even — or perhaps a few more from UNC. I wrote to Ms. Tyre and told her that most often Tar Heels fans think we lean toward Duke. In a situation where one team defeats another there will always be some hard feelings among the strongest fans.

I also reminded Ms. Tyre that when Duke beat UNC at the buzzer in the first game we ran a huge photo and a big headline. This past Sunday we did the same when UNC defeated Duke in the regular season rematch. Sports editor Bob Sutton also reminded me that the previous Sunday he ran Duke and Carolina stories side by side so they would have exactly the same play.

On this issue, I’m convinced, we’ll never make both sides happy.

Pretty much like Democrats and Republicans.

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The January emailbag; Who’s ‘we’? Going sideways; and the bigger picture

February 1st, 2012, 12:47 pm by madisontaylor

A question that crops up every so often tops the January emailbag. Here goes, from Stan Davis of Haw River.

I have noticed in your editorials that there is never a name claiming ownership of the written piece. It makes things seem as if the opinions represented speak for everyone at The Times News. Is this the case? When readers have their opinions published they are required to leave their name. Take ownership of your ideas, and attach YOUR name to what YOU write.

MY TAKE: Editorials published in the Times-News are indeed considered the stance by the newspaper itself but never purports to speak for every single person who works in our office — including, most especially, me. That’s why editorials take on the tone of a collective “we.” They are not intended to be the sole property of one individual at the Times-News. In fact, the editorials come from a variety of sources within our company or other newspapers of similar editorial philosophy — largely libertarian and decidedly conservative on fiscal matters. I, for example, edit the page and often disagree with what our editorials say. Sometimes I agree and on some occasions I simply go, “eh.” Other newspaper staffers have input on what we publish or write ourselves for that spot.

Columns, on the other hand, are personal opinions and contain bylines and usually a photo.

The middle thumb

This question came from reader Jane Lewis regarding our Saturday Opinion Page feature, THUMBS UP and THUMBS DOWN.

Shouldn’t there be a thumbs sideways as well as up and down? I have had this thought on several Saturdays and today’s Thumbs Down to Neil Bromilow’s retirement is the reason I am writing. Shouldn’t a person beginning a well-earned retirement deserve a Thumbs Up no matter how much that person will be missed?

MY TAKE: Absolutely. There have been a few times when we’ve waggled the editorial Thumb a bit. Perhaps a few more sideways Thumbs would be appropriate.

That said, Elon is really, really going to miss Mr. Bromilow. The work on campus has been phenomenal and almost nonstop over the past decade and change.

Obituaries continued to …

I hear pretty often from Nancy Thomas of Burlington, always with good-natured suggestion and great ideas for how we can improve. She calls herself “Pest,” but that’s hardly the case. Here’s the latest.

It is PEST again!

Thank you for putting the line about “See More Obituaries on page … ” when they run over to another page, as I “suggested” some time ago.

One of my many “hats” at the Clinic is to check the obits every morning, and knowing that there may be a “continued” line on the bottom of the page, even I have missed it twice in the last few days. One of the “continueds” I discovered that night when I had the opportunity to read the rest of the paper and just saw additional obits on another page! So, surely some (many?) of those people who are scanning names must be missing the continuations.

Do you think ”See More Obits….” might be better in the MIDDLE of the page and reversed — white on black?

I know of one particular example of a “continued on another page” obituary in the Greensboro paper that was missed by the cousin of the deceased, so he obviously did not show up for the funeral, etc.

Thanks,
Pest

MY TAKE: We will continue to look for ways to make this stand out a little more so readers will notice. I may have Linda Bowden, our graphics and design expert, take a crack at it. A few years ago, when we had four section each day, the obituary page could continue to the next page and seldom had to jump into an entirely different section. I wish those old days were back. I’m sure most of our readers feel the same way.

And thanks again, Mrs. Thomas.

Need to get out more

A reader I hear from a lot posed this question after Burlington City Council bounced around thoughts about speed limits at a meeting in January.

Madison, where have the members of the city council been, there are a lot of streets in the City of Burlington that have speed limits above 35 MPH

Jack

MY TAKE: I told Jack that based on my experience, members of council don’t get out much. I asked one about some year-old signage downtown touting something that is supposedly “Coming soon!” This elected official wasn’t familiar with the sign on the corner of Front and Main.

Hmmm.

Newt in the crosshairs

Frequent writer Warren Pegram of Snow Camp took us to task for an editorial cartoon a few weeks aback about presidential candidate Newt Gingrich and the stories concerning his wives, ex-wives, mistresses and thoughts about open marriage.

I believe the Times News owes readers an apology for the Newt and past political cartoon today. The issue of Newt suggesting an ‘open marriage’ while in bed with a mistress is unproven and therefore not subject to treatment as though it were. … As South Carolina has proven the news media has fallen so far in reputation that such antics are probably a healthy part of the votes for Newt.

MY TAKE: I wrote back to Mr. Pegram and told him that editorial cartoons are drawn in a provocative and broad way for comic effect, to make an impact or both. They don’t aspire to be any more than commentary on things in the news not actual news reporting. And the issues involving Gingrich were indeed in the news and fair game for commentary.

Now, whether these kinds of stories actually harm candidates is an interesting question. It never harmed Bill Clinton. My hunch is that people who like a candidate will overlook certain shortcomings. If they don’t like a candidate, such peccadilloes become major subjects for criticism and derision.

That’s why covering politics is so tricky.

It’s a small world after all

Got this from Herb Berkowitz, a day after I published his column about Buddy Holly’s death on the Jan. 31 Opinion Page. It moved via McClatchy Tribune, a wire service we use. He was identified as a public relations specialist who lives in Wilmington who is a lifelong Buddy Holly fan. I recognized Herb’s name but didn’t immediately match it to how I knew him until the following day when he sent a thank-you email. Herb stopped by our office a few weeks back as a representative with the Pope Education Center. We had a great conversation.

Now I feel I know him even better, especially after our email correspondence.

Thank you for running my Buddy Holly tribute piece. I hope you enjoyed it.

Rock on!
Herb

That was his first email. After I responded, he sent this back.

My office is a shrine to rock-n-roll: posters, neon, memorabilia, autographs, records, a jukebox (1953 Seeburg), a collection of record players, stereos and, transistor radios, etc. The trouble is: At my age the mind says rock, the body says stop.

Have a great day.
Herb

MY TAKE: I knew I should’ve introduced him to Jay Ashley and showed him Jay’s office.

The bigger picture

And finally we had some problems in late 2011 and early this year with photo reproduction on our Good News page, which is published on Monday. Sometimes when group shots are submitted by readers they need to be published in as large a format as we can manage simply so readers can actually see who’s in the photo.

The issue came up regarding a photo submitted of the reunion for the Williams High School class of 1961.

This is the first email I received from Gwen McIntyre of Burlington about the photo.

I have written you before with concerns and we were on a very positive note when explanations were all said and done. … I like reading all the “high school reunion” celebrations that are published especially the ones from the 50s. I like to see who in the photo that I know. Lots of times I know anywhere from 1-10 familiar names and faces of course depending on the community. As the early 60 graduates are becoming the focus of 50 year reunions it draws my interest to read every name and scan every face. Sometimes the faces aren’t as clear but when finding the name it all comes together. In the Time News that was published on Monday, Dec. 5 the 1961 class of Walter Williams High School was recognized. With this publication there wasn’t a single name under the photo to identify the graduates and the photo was not enlarged enough to identify one single person. What in the world happened? The only way anyone knew who was in the photo were the individuals themselves. My husband was one of those graduates and he couldn’t tell me who the others were as the images were so small. We understand the names were submitted along with a larger image of the class. This is a once in a lifetime event. I think it should be reprinted for the paper with the names added and a better image. I was very disappointed with this publication and I wasn’t even one of the honorees. Was this a flaw in your department of “Good News” or just what happened?

Regards,

Gwen McIntyre

I wrote her back immediately. Here’s what I said.

“Part of the problem was that the person who submitted the photo could not identify the people in it. They only gave us a list of people that didn’t match the people in the picture. Brent decided it was best to not run names that did not match the photo.

The second problem, the size, was created by two things: The photo was shot from pretty far away and us not allowing enough space to publish the photo larger. We’re working on the latter. It might mean items are published a little later than normal, but it would be worth it to get better images in the newspaper.

Again, thanks for writing and your concerns.”

A couple of weeks ago we published the photo again, larger this time. We also included the names, even though they did not match the photo. I told our editors that it’s important to get the names of people in our captions when the information is available (often it’s not). And in group photos with this many people it’s always wise to publish the image as large as possible.

Here’s what she wrote back.

“I want to thank the Times News for resubmitting the photo that was in the paper today of the Williams High School Class of 1961. It was much better. Although it was such a large attendance, I admit the names would have been hard to list as trying to follow the people in the photo by rows. Alphabetical was about the best that could have been done. Thanks again for the resubmission.

Gwen McIntyre

MY TAKE: We do aim to please, especially on the Good News page. Hopefully we avoid this problem in the future.

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The emailbag: From December to today

January 2nd, 2012, 12:28 pm by madisontaylor

My New Year’s resolution is to stay on top of email and post them in a more timely manner here. Here goes the first 2012 edition.

———-

The reporting on the ARMC merger with Cone Health stirred one reader to write to me about the lack of information. Ben Ansbacher was responding to my column in which I posed the same questions.

I was already mulling over writing you about the ARMC press release when I read your piece today. Theirs was a classic example of obfuscation. They chose Cone because “We have common missions, and our cultures are very similar — both organizations value our patients, our employees and our communities.” Translation: we are both hospitals.

I guess they wouldn’t respond to questions about why they took the undescribed action they took and chose the “partner” they chose, but keep after them.

MY TAKE: Shortly after my column and this note we had a sit-down with people from ARMC and talked to Cone Health reps on the telephone. We got a few more answers on this matter but my hunch is that many more will be answered over the next couple of months.

Dave Barry fan

Another reader thanked us for publishing the Dave Barry Gift Guide in our annual special section, Last-Minute Gift Guide.

Thank you, thank you for publishing Dave Barry’s Christmas present story in today’s supplement. i was afraid that he was no longer writing it. i can’t think of anything that makes me laugh. it may be too late to order the dear leader tongue scraper — drat.

MY TAKE: We love the Dave Barry Gift Guide and will publish it as long as he continues to write it and we have the space to run it. Space is a huge part of the equation.

Each year we plan to publish the long Dave Barry humor piece as part of this advertising section. We’re not so fortunate with the annual and equally funny Dave Barry Year in Review. It’s far longer and more difficult to publish under our current page counts.

But I’ll keep my fingers crossed that’ll change.

A balanced approach

Another reader responded to some criticism we took over our news story on the death of longtime political leader Cary Allred. I had a few calls about it, an email and I heard it was a topic of discussion on the radio program Talkline.

Here’s what this reader had to say.

I saw that you were criticized for mentioning the highlights and lowlights of Cary Allred’s life in your coverage of his funeral. I thought your coverage was as it should be. The people who loved him appreciated him for his qualities, that did not change. I don’t think it would have been good journalism to not have mentioned his challenges. In Alamance County we knew him either in person or through the media, your coverage did not change anyone’s opinion. (I have been to funerals and heard eulogies that were so full of praise I wanted to get up and look in the coffin to be sure I was at the right funeral)

MY TAKE: I felt our coverage of Cary Allred’s death was very fair. A person in public life for 30 years deserves a news story that covers the full scope of their lives — good and bad. A controversial figure such as Allred stirred a lot of both. He had good points and not so good ones. It would be a major failure of journalism not to handle both.

While we mentioned Allred’s problems, we did not dwell upon them. We also tried to capture as many of his good qualities as we could. Frankly, though, we had trouble finding people willing to speak about him.

Reader readjusts

Just before Christmas I received a letter to the Open Forum from a man whose truck has been smashed by a hit-and-run driver while shopping at Alamance Crossing. “Merry Christmas,” right?

After the letter was published he wrote again.

Thanks to the Times-News and Facebook friends for the sympathetic attention regarding the hit and run incident of my truck. Now that I’ve had a proper pity party I’ve had a total catharsis and my Merry Christian Spirit has been restored in time for the Christmas week-end. Merry Christmas!

Chuck Beard

MY TAKE: I was very happy to hear from Mr. Beard and glad to note that he had reconciled his bad situation in an area parking lot.

But I would like to add that it takes a complete dirtbag to hit someone’s car and then simply drive off. I hate this happened to Mr. Beard.

A good idea

Got a story idea from Ben and Helen Howard, who write to me by email often. Here it goes.

Have received numerous emails in the past concerning the salary, fringe benefits and perks enjoyed by members of congress.

Such things as: (1)They receive a retirement check equal to their full salary for the remainder of their lives. (2) this retirement pension continues to be received by their spouse after the office holder has died. (3) they have exempted themselves from social security (4) they have their own taylor-made medical plan (5) they have exempted themselves from certain laws which all other citizens have to obey (6) they are privy to information involving stocks and bonds and allowed by law to buy and sell stocks and bonds based on this inside information. Etc.

A newspaper article addressing this issue would be interesting and informative for your readership. This information should be public and would result in a better informed citizens.

I have never seen this information laid out publically. Such an article would help put to rest any misinformation out there about this subject. Is all or any of what is out on the internet true?

Would be interesting to know the truth.

MY TAKE: As Mr. Howard notes, this is a complicated matter. I’ll see what we can provide.

Just a vacation

I got this note on Monday from Tom Malone who was wondering about one of our regular editorial page columnists.

What’s happened to Leonard Pitt’s columns? We enjoyed his twice-a-week columns (we have been subscribers to the print edition since moving to Burlington in 2005), and haven’t seen one since December 6. He provided a good balance to Sowell, Stossel and Williams — we hope his column hasn’t been discontinued.
Please let me know.

MY TAKE: We haven’t discontinued Leonard Pitts, although he’s probably our most controversial columnist. Pitts, who is employed at the Miami Herald, usually takes the month of December off for vacation. No columns have moved by him since early December. His next one, though, is scheduled for this week.

Trying to find available columns to publish throughout the holiday is a bear. Lots of people take vacation right around Christmas or the New Year.

Always controversial

And I got this Monday from a reader not too pleased about the first baby born in the New Year here in Alamance County. We annually profile the first baby of any year and have for decades.

Here’s what Kathy Williams wrote to publisher Paul Mauney.

Perhaps the headline should have read “another welfare baby, Alamance County!” I am appalled to read that you are celebrating teen pregnancy, by publishing an article about the first baby of 2012, born to a teen mom. I really don’t think teen pregnancy need be celebrated. I’m sure the Burlington Police Department are glad to read this story though, as they can now charge the father with statutory rape, as he is 19 and the mother is only 16. Really Times News??? Maybe some more judgment should be in place for certain stories.

MY TAKE: We don’t select the first baby born in any year. It’s about as random is anything we report might be. Often, the first baby is a reflection of the times in which we live. It’s not our place to withhold it.

We won’t pick and choose in this area. The first baby, is the first baby — no matter what.

The other option would be to discontinue the stories we do each year. Perhaps that’s worth considering.

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Endorsements, redux: A glitch in the system

November 7th, 2011, 7:38 am by madisontaylor

Today I received an email from John Oakes of Burlington. He wanted to know why his letter of endorsement for candidates in Burlington’s city election hadn’t been published in the Open Forum. He sent the letter by email on Oct. 28, a couple of days in front of the week before election deadline of Nov. 1.

The answer was pretty simple. I never saw it.

The spam filter for our email system seems to randomly select what mail makes it to my inbox and what does not. I’ve had people send press releases, letters to the Open Forum and syndicated columns to my address and have it labeled as spam for no apparent reason at all.

I apologize for this problem.

Here is Mr. Oakes letter.

I would like to encourage my friends, neighbors and fellow citizens of Burlington to join me in re-electing Ronnie Wall (Our Mayor) and Jim Butler and David Huffman to the Burlington City Council. It’s important that everyone know that I am neither a close friend or very acquainted with any of these men. Except on the few occasions I have addressed them publicly at the City Council meetings and on a few occasions outside of council proceedings. I have formed my decisions about each of these men based on their comments concerning issues and their voting records. I do not always agree with them, but here in lies the reason I voted for them. Even on issues when I disagree with them, they present an argument that is rational and logical without dogmatic, irrational behavior. They present their arguments and reasoning in a manner that both the professional and layman can understand and appreciate and they do it in a respectful manner. I think it is important to have rational and balanced people in leadership roles in our community and I think these men are rational and balanced in their decision making, even when I might not agree with them on every issue.

John Oakes
Burlington

I had another Burlington letter writer who missed the deadline by an hour or two. He asked if I could put the endorsement online. I agreed. Here it is.

I have had the privilege to know Bob Ward for over 30 years and to work with him in his capacity as City Attorney. Bob is one of the foremost experts on local government law in North Carolina, having taught it at the Institute of Government (now the School of Government) at the University of North Carolina.

As City Attorney, Bob’s door was always open to anyone who sought his help. In that role, he was always gracious and was always willing to go out of his way to understand the issue and to seek a solution that was fair and reasonable to all concerned. Very few persons have the institutional knowledge of the City of Burlington and its ordinances, history, council and employees which Bob possesses.

Bob left a job that he loved and for which he was paid in order to take his service to the citizens of Burlington to the next level. He has offered himself up as a volunteer public servant if only he can be elected to serve. He did not have to leave the job he loved, but chose to do so, not to run against any incumbent nor any other candidate, but rather to run FOR the opportunity to serve and share his valuable knowledge and experience with the citizens in a way which can only be beneficial. It is with great pleasure that I enthusiastically endorse Bob Ward for City Council! Vote Bob Ward on Election Day!

Tom Steele Jr.
Burlington

Again, I apologize for any inconvenience or hardship this caused. This is just another reason such letter will be barred in the future. I’ll post about that later.

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