Warning: Lamar May Occasionally Rant
Allow me to clarify my previous post: It seems to me that some of the anonymous posters are attempting to share important information (See Cenla Antics for good evidence of what I'm talking about). However, they are communicating this information in evasive language. My main point is that when you're trying to tell the public something anonymously, you should take better advantage of the luxuries anonymity can provide: Name some names and give us some specificity to back up your vague claims. Otherwise, you just sound like gossip. Of course, it is important to exercise responsibility, but if you KNOW something, tell it like it is. Just write in plain English. Some of you have something to say, but you seem too afraid to really say it. Well, you're anonymous. Just say it.
By the way, toyota, I'm not talking about your comments; I've enjoyed your contributions.
And as far as Mr. Gunn is concerned: From what I've read here in the "blogosphere," most of us appreciate Mr. Gunn's work and believe that he is one of the few exceptions to the reigning paradigm of the local media. I think there is a difference between the perogative of the entire newspaper and the agenda of a single journalist within that newspaper. Those of us who are upset at the Town Talk and KALB's coverage of local news are not upset at the individuals who work for these companies. We recognize that both the Town Talk and KALB are actually controlled by large, corporate interests, Gannett and Media General (I believe), and these corporate interests set the policies and procedures of their "investments.' And there's another thing that limits a local reporter's ability to do their job: People here don't talk. They protect themselves.
Updated: I had just written a critique of KALB's lack of attention to the BIG story of the week when...all of a sudden... they cut in during commercial break and claim that they will be reporting it. Maybe the heat is on.
Updated Again: KALB didn't actually report the story. What's going on?
But they have published the following article on their website:
Meanwhile, the state legislative auditor has agreed to look into the entire matter.
City attorney Kelvin Sanders, whose wife has received a lucrative contract for re-location services connected to the housing authority, says he does not see any conflict of interest, though he declined an on-camera interview, saying he didn't have the time.
Chief of Staff and mayoral candidate Delores Brewer, who formed a complany to bid on the same contact herself, left a message with us, but we were unable to contact her for follow-up questions.
The state ethics board and the Louisiana legislative auditor are both watchdogs for such contracts and possible conflicts between the people who make the money and their relationships to public officians, both appointed and elected.
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Wednesday, May 31, 2006.
