October 31, 2005

Tidings misses what is the news

The annual meeting of the Mount Ashland Association board of directors was reported upon by both the Mail Tribune and the Tidings. The Tribune headlined its coverage “Ski-area association discusses youth programs” and the story by Bill Kettler focused on the main topic of the meeting — MAA programs serving nearly 2,000 young people annually.

The Tidings, on the other hand, chose to headline its story “Ski leaders looking to expansion” with writer Robert Plain rehashing that previously well-covered issue rather than giving much ink to topics that actually dominated discussion at the meeting. Several opponents to expansion were present but declined to comment when invited to do so, which makes one further wonder why Plain thought the issue deserved so much of his attention.

Also, somewhat mind-boggling was Plain’s decision to report that Eric Navickas arrived at the meeting late “sporting pigtails, a ripped shirt and dirty jeans” and that he (Navickas) thought people gave him “dirty looks.”

My guess is that Tidings readers, whether for, against or neutral on expansion, don’t really care when Navickas arrives at a meeting, how he has his hair done, what he wears or maybe even what he has to say about anything at this point.

I can’t decide whether to laugh or to cry when faced with Plain’s (and his editors’) choices as to what constitutes as news. I may do both.

Tom Pyle
Phoenix

Poland native seeks post cards

My name is Jerzy Matuszczak. I am 49 years old man from Krakow Poland who collects blank post-cards.

My collection is of more than 33.000 post-cards from 176 countries. My target is world biggest collection.

I would love to ask you to help me and please send few blank post-cards with views from Ashland.

If someone is looking for a friendly polish family, we will answer all letters or e-mails.

Thank you very much for lovely help.

Jerzy Matuszczak
31-462 Krakow
Ul.Pilotow 22/21
POLAND

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