This city is in serious need of good local news coverage

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Sun, Aug 31, 2003, 2:50 pm  //  John Servais

According to today's Herald, editorial page editor Carolyn Nielson is on leave. Eric Thomas, who has been writing goofy editorials aimed at humor, is now going on vacation. So - during the two weeks leading up to the primary election on Sep 16, there will be no direction at all to the editorial page at the Herald. They will print stuff from other newspapers.
(Note added Sep 1 - the basis for this statement is the Herald had a statement in the Aug 31 paper stating they would be filling the editorial space with pieces from other papers until Eric returned from vacation.)

This from Gannett, a multi-billion-dollar corporation. Concern about local quality newspaper? No. Concern is only about return on investment. Their 8% from Bham. There is still no managing editor and now there is no editorial page editor. Can you imagine them going even a week without an Advertising Manager? Not a chance.

The mayoral election race demands full reporting and comment. Editorials can comment on shenanigans by candidates as well as give voting opinion. This blog is not a substitute for a daily newspaper. The Bellingham Weekly, while it has perhaps one good local article every other week, is not up to the task.

This city is in serious need of good local news coverage. Check today's Herald. It is very light on local news. Five photos of a kids' rodeo and a sidebar that absentee ballots have been mailed by the Auditor. A nice piece about the Fairhaven High School reunion from 1935. A nice Labor Day weekend feature about workers at Intalco that pretends to be news. (The workers deserve our concern, but this story is a feature.) That is it. All else is off the news wires. Newsworthy events continue to happen in Bellingham - we just never learn of them. Like the $17 million Port windfall posted just below.
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This city is in serious need of good local news coverage

Sun, Aug 31, 2003, 2:50 pm  //  John Servais

According to today's Herald, editorial page editor Carolyn Nielson is on leave. Eric Thomas, who has been writing goofy editorials aimed at humor, is now going on vacation.…

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What is happening at the Herald?

Fri, Aug 29, 2003, 2:54 pm  //  John Servais

You would think the Port of Bellingham getting a windfall of $17 million would be news. But since posting that here - and scooping the paid news media…

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Healthy, energy-efficient building practices

The Port Commissioner campaign is getting hot

Wed, Aug 27, 2003, 2:57 pm  //  John Servais

Ginny Benton, seeking her third term as commissioner, stated this evening at the Rome Grange that she will not respond to the "mud slinging" being done against her.…

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Wednesday’s Lunch Time Soapbox Forum

Thu, Aug 21, 2003, 3:09 pm  //  John Servais

At yesterday's forum, the mayor and four challengers faced the audience for over an hour of questions. The forum does not allow them to use notes, so the…

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Do we have to endure a tragedy before we wake up?

Thu, Aug 14, 2003, 3:15 pm  //  John Servais

Go pick up today's issue of the Bellingham Weekly and read the Skinny. It reports on the Bellingham Police giving jaywalking citations to downtown merchants who have dared…

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Give GW what he deserves

Mon, Aug 11, 2003, 3:22 pm  //  John Servais

If you are interested in giving the raspberry to George W when he visits Washington State next week, then check out www.stopbushseattle.com and make travel plans. W is…

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This is an exclusive NwCitizen feature

Fri, Aug 08, 2003, 3:25 pm  //  John Servais

If you like a good read then check The Door to War and the Futurist Markets article. The author takes the concept of a Terror Futures Market and…

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OK. They are completely insane

Sun, Aug 03, 2003, 3:32 pm  //  John Servais

Amazing. I can call the supposed president of our country insane and my conservative friends only object to the f word. This is an adult site. If my…

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