Albert Lea Discussion Forum » Printable Version of Topic

Forum: Current Events
Topic: Challenge to the Tribune
started by: Replicant

Posted by Replicant on Jan. 18 2005,9:57 am

I've been thinking about doing this, decided to give it a try.

Most people seem to want the Tribune to investigate matters more deeply. So, here's a place to ask questions you want answers to.

I'd ask that instead of trashing on this thread, challenge them to cover things more completely.

I'll start with two items:

1. The mayor and city council do not have direct authority over city employees. I would like to know at whose direction did the city clerk go to the Eaton home to swear in the mayor. Who is the city clerk's supervisor? The city manager I assume. Was the city manager aware of this? What is in the charter or city ordinances about this? Is the city clerk the only person empowered to administer the oath of office?

2. In the Sunday 1/16/05 edition on the front page was a news item about a fatality on the freeway. The name of the victim had not been released by press time for that edition. That happens. However, there was nothing in the Monday edition, unless I missed it. Not sure about todays yet. Who was the victim?

Posted by Paul Harvey on Jan. 18 2005,10:46 am

Honestly, I know I'll get better information here, where a free flow of ideas can occur. The net truly is changing the world.

I can't ever envision a time when a couple entry level reporters can come anywhere close to what we have here...

Posted by Liberal on Jan. 18 2005,12:00 pm

It was a male truckdriver, he was with a group of truckers and he went off the road at mile marker 22. The first law enforcement officer to respond requested Mayo 1 but said they might have them turn back so it must have been a bad crash. I got the information from listening to the scanner when it happened, so I'm sure they got the same information I did.

Since our Charter prohibits the elected officials from telling staff what to do.The only person that could have told the city clerk to go there is the city manager or she could have done it on her own.

Quote

Section 2.11. Interferences with administration.

Neither the council nor the mayor nor a council member may dictate the appointment by the city manager of a person to an office or employment. The council may not interfere with the city manager or prevent the city manager from exercising judgment in the appointment of officers and employees in the administrative service. Except for purposes of inquiry the council and its members must deal with and control the administrative service solely through the city manager.

Neither the mayor, the council nor a council member may give orders, publicly or privately, to a subordinate of the city manager.

Posted by Alfy Packer on Jan. 18 2005,6:21 pm

I was in Austin this morning and got my ears filled while spending time in the doctors office. Of course it was all prefaced with the qualifier, "Is it true that". Well I am just a dummy from Albert Lea and could only respond with "I don' know."

So if the Tribune is up for a challenge I would like to know the answer to what Austin seems to already know. That is, is it true that:

a) by being adminstered the oath of office for her second term, Mayor Eaton pension rights as a public employee became vested; and
b) by being adminstered the oath of office for her second term, Mayor Eaton has life time medical benefits courtesy of the city of Albert Lea.

There other things that I was told about the political asperations of Freeborn County officials that I didn't have the foggiest idea what they were talking about. I would not feel very bad if they do not know what they are talking about, but if they are on the mark, why are we in the dark?

Posted by hairhertz on Jan. 18 2005,6:54 pm

Interesting stuff Alfy, but the subject of Jean's pension & future benefits are probably potentially too embarrassing for the AL Trib & Fishwrap to investigate.

The Trib, if it had the intestinal fortitude, would print a big article detailing the pay, benefits [not just health insurance, but car allowances, free internet access, sick pay, severance packages,etc.] golden parachutes & incentives of all the leaders of public organizations in the county.

Those entities certainly won't voluntarily print this type of information. They bury it in accounting double speak as shown on the posting regarding the expenses of the United Way. Presently they are able to make deals w/o having to be scrutinized by the public. The public has the right to know...

Details, baby, we want details!

Posted by MADDOG on Jan. 18 2005,7:10 pm

Here's a few details. < mayors > I didn't read much of it, but if retirement is the same as the county, yea, she finishes out her term, she in.

I don't think that's what she's after here, though.

Posted by Expatriate on Jan. 19 2005,8:33 am

Quote (Alfy Packer @ Jan. 18 2005,6:21,pm)

b) by being adminstered the oath of office for her second term, Mayor Eaton has life time medical benefits courtesy of the city of Albert Lea.

Alfy, I'm not challenging you here but most city, county , employees are covered under a program like or called PERA Public Employees Retirement Association the names can differ slightly for Teachers and other Minnesota Government entities..
To my knowledge your able to purchase your health insurance from your employer when you retire until age 65 when Medicare kicks in, and then that's over..this is similar to the COBRA plan where each of us can pay our employer for health ins after we retire, I believe it's 18 months. it's a better deal for public employees...
There are some programs where you can put away tax deferred dollars to make premium payments on your retirement health ins.
Again I'm not doubting you, it's often that our Elected Officials get a better deal then the people they represent...

Posted by Slashin on Jan. 19 2005,8:39 am

Alfy, there are times I think you are a nut, other times I feel that you see things very clearly, and then there are the times I see you as Robespierre out to lead the Revolution. Alfy, do you know where you are going?

Posted by Alfy Packer on Jan. 19 2005,9:49 am

Ouch!!! Funny, but I could say the same. I do not have a goal except that I want this town get up and going again. From a personal standpoint, I'm just feeling my way day by day. How about you?

Posted by Slashin on Jan. 19 2005,3:24 pm

Just thought that you might have been starting the run for an office. Wasn't sure that I knew what you were about so I wanted to know if you did.

Posted by Alfy Packer on Jan. 19 2005,4:32 pm

That is not for me. This thing with work has been stressful and is showing up in some physical ways. Even if that were something I wanted to do, I don't know that I have the stamina to do it. So with my blessings, feel free to have at it.

Posted by MrTarzan on Jan. 23 2005,11:43 am

We seem to be getting off the subject here. I think it is wonderful to challenge the paper to dig for more than just the surface information people are likely to give when questioned. It is what reporters should do.

Trying to get back on topic, in this weeks paper it talked about this wonderful award that a medical training program received for Maria Gaytan. I want to know who are the participants in this program and where are they from? It was my experience that out of state members were being recruited for this program when it focused on CNA's. Though I have high regard for WDI, like any organization, sometimes in the hurry to get good results some employees use bad judgement and a lack of ethics. Will the Tribune look to find these graduates? Will they check their citizenship and statehood?

Posted by ALRox on Jan. 25 2005,9:14 pm

WDI's 3rd Healthcare Academy will start Feb 7th. CNAs in the Austin & Albert Lea area nursing homes have a starting salary between $9 & $10.20 an hour. You can call 379-3409 (the Workforce Center) for more information. You are also welcome to stop by...just give us notice so that we can hide all of the students from Emmons & Twin Lakes

Is that what you meant by recruiting outside of the area Brian?

Posted by MADDOG on Jan. 25 2005,10:31 pm

Huh? This is MADDOG on this forum, thank you. No offense.

Posted by ICU812 on Jan. 26 2005,8:11 am

In yesterdaze edition of the paper I got to the last page and there was a story about Johnny Carson that said continued from page 1, I went to page one and there was nothing about it. Anyone else notice this?

Posted by Replicant on Jan. 26 2005,8:40 am

Quote (ALRox @ Jan. 25 2005,9:14,pm)

WDI's 3rd Healthcare Academy will start Feb 7th.

In yesterdaze edition of the paper I got to the last page and there was a story about Johnny Carson that said continued from page 1, I went to page one and there was nothing about it. Anyone else notice this?

What does WDI mean? Workforce something something??? I know what a CNA is. Is this the program that involves spanish speaking CNAs?

Regarding the Carson story, I remember seeing the continuation, maybe on the back page?? It's in there, maybe not on the page you were directed to. Happens too often, but hey I make mistakes too.

Posted by BS Fighter on Jan. 26 2005,10:53 am

THAT's BS ALRox! MrTarzan has always been polite and civil on this forum, and simply asked a question to get the thread on topic, and might I add a very good question which any TAXPAYER should have the right to ask, and it seems like you are trying to imtimidate him by trying to out him. So I ask you ALRox, which employee are you? Did he strike a nerve? I bet you are a Jean B. Stealin Fan

So, ALRox, are these students recruited with signs and letters out of state? Can you post the names of all the graduates and how long they were residents here? Isn't your money a blend of Federal, State and County money? Shouldn't taxpayers care or question? Weren't there problems with citizenship in the past? Has that been fixed? Come-on I will fight the fight if you want to fight!

I will be anxiously awaiting your responses to all my questions.

Thank you :sarcasm:

Posted by ALRox on Jan. 26 2005,10:16 pm

Quote (BS Fighter @ Jan. 26 2005,10:53,am)

are these students recruited with signs and letters out of state? Can you post the names of all the graduates and how long they were residents here? Isn't your money a blend of Federal, State and County money? Shouldn't taxpayers care or question? Weren't there problems with citizenship in the past? Has that been fixed?

Posted by ALRox on Jan. 26 2005,10:20 pm

Quote (ALRox @ Jan. 26 2005,10:16,pm)

(OOPS...my bad...I don't understand how to post yet...try again...)

Jeez Jane, settle down. I wasn't trying to attack Brian...I was trying to stick up for the Healthcare Academy. It's a cheap program that's doing good things to get people off of public assistance.

You know I can't list graduates' names. But I can give demographics...9 of the 10 people in the 2nd class were born in the USA...1 was born in Sudan. You want more, come to the office. We haven't been lucky enough to be sent recruiting to any warm places but considering how cold it is & how desperately this area needs CNA's, it's not a bad idea. For recruitment of students we rely on our counselors at WDI in both Freeborn & Mower County, on the staff at Public Health, the staff at Human Services, Adult Basic Ed, the Nursing Homes, Riverland, & word of mouth...so far these methods have worked well for us. For more info. call the Workforce Center at 379-3409 or stop in. Our office hours are 8am - 4:30pm Monday - Friday. It's a good program that's doing good things (w/o recruiting illegal immigrants) for Freeborn & Mower Counties.

Posted by Paul Harvey on Jan. 26 2005,11:02 pm

Don't you listen or don't you care. He wants you to use his handle while posting. People have been known to throw eggs and thangs.

Posted by MrTarzan on Jan. 27 2005,11:50 am

Wow, did this get out of hand. Replicant, the answer to your question is it stands for Workforce Development INC. As I said before, I respect the organization and what it trys to accomplish, and what it does. I think that a non-profit with proper oversight does things better than government and WDI is a good example of that.

As I said originally, I am a huge fan of the organization. I am a supporter of the Healthcare Academy, with an exception, the screening process used to be broken. If that has been fixed, great. If you meant Twin Lakes Texas, then yeah Val that is what I meant.

Paul as you know, I won't deny or confirm my handle. If I want to make a public statement I write letters to the editor. If people want to know who I am, PM me and ask. Many people on this forum know who I am, and I frankly don't care how many. Like many on this forum, I can change my name and pop back up again. I just like the name, and it has a long history for me, so I will probably just keep it regardless.

Again this thread is way off track. The point I was illustrating was that a story was once again run in the paper without any real reporting, just parroting.

If we want to have a discussion about the pros and cons of the Healthcare Academy, make a new thread.

Despite one or two lazy employees, which you find anywhere, WDI has my upmost respect and I have not attacked it. I simply questioned the paper about its report. If it dug in and came up roses, which I figure it would, great. In hindsight, I wish I had used a different example, but the paper was in front of me, and there were problems back when with recruits and it seemed a good example of slack reporting.

Again, WDI does a great deal of good, I am a fan, not an enemy of the organization and will continue to be, but I am also a taxpayer and have every right to question any group which receives federal, state and county money about any of its programs.

Posted by ALRox on Jan. 27 2005,4:56 pm

Not Val...and I'm sorry for getting her name drug into this.
~Theresa

Posted by Replicant on Jan. 27 2005,5:27 pm

Quote (ICU812 @ Jan. 26 2005,8:11,am)

The Carson story started on Page 6. Must have gotten bumped from page one at the last minute. BTW, nice to see you in patriot dress again.

MrTarzan, thanks for the WDI clarification, I did not recognize the acronym. Also got a PM from ALRox re that and the Healthcare academy, that it is different from the bilingual CNA program that had been written up a while back.

Posted by Replicant on Jan. 27 2005,5:39 pm

Glad to see this thread getting views, and that people really want more in-depth reporting.

Come on Scott Schmeltzer, new publisher and Debbie Irmen, relatively new editor. You're always looking for story ideas, there are some good questions here.

Still no answer regarding the city clerk swearing in the mayor at home. Does no one else find this strange as to how she was directed to do this? Liberal points out several scenarios, which one was it? Some simple questioning of Sandi Behrens or Ms. Simonsen would clear it up.

As long as you're asking about that, what about the benefits question that Alfy Packer asked? Help us to understand if that may be motivating the mayor to hang on or not.

Never was an identification of the single fatality on Jan. 15 from my original post. Yet there is a double fatality yesterday of people from Fairmont and they were identified. Just because it apparently was a trucker, did he/she not deserve the dignity of being identified?

Posted by Replicant on Jan. 27 2005,5:43 pm

Mr. Schmeltzer, you need to update the Tribune's website. In the About Us section, it still lists Christine Moser as publisher and Kevin True as Ad Director.

< http://www.albertleatribune.com/aboutus/ >

Posted by MADDOG on Jan. 27 2005,6:05 pm

This all I could find in the City Charter.

Quote

Section 12.02. Oath of office.
Elective officers of the city and any other officer so required by law or this charter must, before taking office, take and subscribe to an oath in substantially the form required by law.

Posted by BS Fighter on Jan. 28 2005,8:00 am

Jane? Wrong - try again.
Secret graduates? Since when does WDI offer courses that are secret? Shouldn't we as tax payers be able to question who is getting free schooling? How is the program monitored or judged if nobody knows whom is in it?
How do you justify a program where you can't list graduates names while using tax dollars to fund it? OH I get it - this must be a secret program for the CIA. :sarcasm:

Posted by ICU812 on Jan. 28 2005,8:10 am

Quote (Replicant @ Jan. 27 2005,5:27,pm)

The Carson story started on Page 6. Must have gotten bumped from page one at the last minute. BTW, nice to see you in patriot dress again.

My bad, I looked through the paper 3 times and didnt see it, time for glasses I guess.

Posted by Replicant on Jan. 28 2005,5:48 pm

I put this over on the Watershed thread too regarding the article that was in today's paper about the website they are developing, but no address given so readers could go look at it.

It's < http://www.shellrock.org > .

A basic part of the story that was missing.

Added 1/30/05 - For the record, they printed the address under an "Omission" heading on page 3 of the Sunday 1/30 edition.

Thank you.

Posted by bearcare on Jan. 29 2005,8:07 pm

From the Sunday Tribune:

When Doug Siewert began thinking about retirement from his business, the Credit Bureau of Albert Lea, a few years ago, he didn't have to look too hard for his predecessor. He knew exactly who he wanted.

Make that predecessors.

Maybe the Tribune needs to investigate a dictionary.

Posted by Replicant on Jan. 29 2005,11:44 pm

Quote (bearcare @ Jan. 29 2005,8:07,pm)

Make that predecessors.

Maybe the Tribune needs to investigate a dictionary.

Sorry, neither.

Make that successors.

For the Tribune, a thesaurus might be in order.

or try < http://www.thesaurus.com. >

Posted by Replicant on Jan. 31 2005,8:57 pm

OK Tribune folks, I stood up for you today and you let me down with nothing in today's (Mon. 1/31) paper about the Meth house that burned less than 2 blocks from an elementary school.

This happened early Sunday morning and nothing in the Monday paper? Power 96, KATE, Channel 6 all had it today. Plus initial reports and a picture were in this forum yesterday. Where were you? You could have easily had the LEC report and a picture.

It would sure be nice to see more aggressive reporting on these types of events.

On a positive note, I give you credit for leading with the Library proposal by the city manager. Didn't see or hear that anywhere else today that I am aware of.

Posted by shaker on Jan. 31 2005,10:24 pm

Maybe they haven't read the forum to find out about it.:p

Posted by Alfy Packer on Feb. 01 2005,8:52 am

Replicant, the wife paid up our subscription and I am still receiving the paper at the house. So I'm sorry that I started this by saying I wasn't going to renew. Being a print media, you will not scoop the electronic media every day, and that isn't going to be a role any print media will be able to compete on. Start looking to what Power 96, KATE, and Channel 6 did not tell us about the stories they blurped. Also there are things that maybe the public should be aware of prior to there becoming news. Our community needs the Tribune, and I for one am hoping that the Tribune can be what this community needs.

Posted by Replicant on Feb. 01 2005,9:36 am

Alfy,
I agree with you 100% on everything you say above. No apology needed. I will also say I am not here to be an apologist for the Tribune because I am frustrated that they don't do better just like anyone else.

My point is, and you made it quite clear before regarding name-calling of Erdman, is that name-calling accomplishes nothing. Rather, it detracts from the message.

So everyone please feel free to "spank" the Tribune when they fall short of what they could do. But as you point out, they aren't the only media that deserves criticism from time to time.

Posted by Replicant on Feb. 02 2005,4:25 pm

OK, let's try this:

I’d like to know to what extent other locations were considered when the “new’ hospital was being planned in the early 1970s.

With 20-20 hindsight, putting the hospital elsewhere on open land with plenty of room for expansion and parking would not have required destroying an entire neighborhood and now the old high school and in particular the Cap Emmons Auditorium.

Please see my post under the "old high school thread" for elaboration. Note here I am in no way dissing the current ALMC. This failure occurred 30-plus years ago.

Is anyone still around that was on the planning committee? How about city records? Was anywhere else looked at? Why not?

Sounds like a good project for Ed Shannon maybe?

Posted by Nose for News on Feb. 02 2005,6:13 pm

Talk was to join Austin and Albert lea

One hospital on I-90 on "Land Between the Cities"
At the time it was said the larger more efficient hospital could use a new to our area concept of a helicopter ambulance.(how futuristic)

Posted by Alfy Packer on Feb. 03 2005,8:05 am

There was once a concept like that for one airport that would be located between Austin and Albert Lea. It too look like it had many benefits for both communities. I don't know who one can believe as to why the two communities stop cooperating, but stop it did.

Posted by jimhanson on Feb. 03 2005,4:28 pm

Alfie--some background on the "common facilities" studies. there have been 4 studies between AL and Austin, one airport study from Owatonna and AL, and 2 from Owatonna and Faribault that I am aware of. None of these ever went anywhere--an airport located midway between Owatonna and AL would be too far outside either town. A new airport would require about 3 square miles (3 sections) of land. The land at the midway point between AL and Austin (the area known as Petran) is deep peat ground--unsuitable. That would necessarily put the airport within 5 miles of one town or the other.

Hormel's put the kibosh on the last study--they said that if the airport was located east of Austin, they would move their airplanes (with a veiled threat of Corporate Offices) to Rochester--eliminating the need for a new airport.

Cooperation SEEMS to be in order. At the time of the studies, it was pointed out that both cities have fairgrounds within their city limits--a common fairgrounds could be located at the new airport site. It was proposed to have a common Law Enforcement Center, and perhaps a common hospital. All came to nothing.

Posted by Ned Kelly on Feb. 03 2005,4:37 pm

Seems as if we can't cooperate because everyone protects their own turf. "For the good of many" doesn't seem to work anymore....And we have all lost much because of that............ned

Posted by ICU812 on Feb. 04 2005,9:56 am

Quote

A new airport would require about 3 square miles (3 sections) of land.

This has nothing to do with this discussion but when I read it it reminded me of a story my boss told me.

One day he walked into a diner and there was a guy sitting on a stool so my boss sat next to him and started a conversation with the guy. He asked the guy what he did, the guy replied "I'm a rancher". My boss replied something and the asked "what size?", the rancher replied "90" my boss said "90 acres, that's a nice little ranch to take care of." The rancher turned and looked at him and said "that's sections son"

Could you imagine owning 90 sections.

Posted by n0esc on Feb. 04 2005,2:12 pm

Well with 640 acres in a section, that puts 90 sections at about 57,600 acres. While large for this part of the country, I hit up google and find this page that lists the largest land owners in New Mexico as an example...

< http://members.aol.com/wmpb/CrossLand/ >

Between the top 3 owners there is over 3 million acres in ranch land... The number 3 spot is one single ranch, listed at 300,000 acres... or 468 sections :rock:

Posted by ICU812 on Feb. 04 2005,2:20 pm

Dont know the ranchers name but my boss was in New Mexico when it happened, he was trying to get us work from a company in Roswell.

Posted by hairhertz on Feb. 05 2005,12:09 am

ranching in the dry west requires something like 40 acres of land for each grazing head of cattle.......not quite like southern Minnesota. 200 head x 40 acres = lots of land

Posted by Replicant on Feb. 06 2005,10:04 pm

Quote (Replicant @ Jan. 27 2005,5:43,pm)

Well it's now Feb. 6 and according to the Tribune's website, Christine Moser is still publisher and Kevin True is Advertising Director.

There are three possibilities:

1. Nobody from the Tribune reads the forum. I know this isn't true.
2. They've seen it but they don't care. I hope this isn't true.
3. They've seen it but haven't taken five minutes to fix it because they don't want to admit they've seen it on the forum, so by fixing it, or actually taking one of the other story suggestions on this thread, they'd be admitting they do read the forum. Yes, this must be it.

Yes, even I, Replicant - Defender of the Tribune, throw my hands in the air, smack my forehead and exclaim "DOH!!" in frustration with our newspaper.

Posted by Mamma on Feb. 06 2005,10:33 pm

I was wondering why the Tribune hasn't done a story about the Speltz Elevators and Fertilizer Companies. They have been in trouble for some time and now they have been sold. I'd say who they were sold to, but then it would be another "rumor" until I could prove it. They are selling off all the equipment on Tuesday at an auction. These elevators might not mean much to alot of people, but they are important to the towns they are in. They include: Glenville, Mrytle, and London. Maybe they will have something about it in a week or so.

Posted by MADDOG on Feb. 06 2005,10:38 pm

I was with a guy that worked in Glenville. He never said a word. Wow.

Posted by ICU812 on Feb. 07 2005,8:42 am

Quote

Dont know the ranchers name

Just had a word with my boss and brought up his story he told. The name of the rancher was Bill Corn, number 16 on the list, he has since died.

Posted by Alfy Packer on Feb. 10 2005,4:39 pm

Replicant, I read the following a long time ago and kept a copy of it because I found it so moving. Your way of dealing with things reminds me of it so I thought I would share it with you at this time:

Go placidly amid the noise & haste, & remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly & clearly; and listen to others, even the dull & ignorant; they too have their story.

Avoid loud & aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain & bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity & disenchantment, it is perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings.

Many fears are born of fatigue & loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees & the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors & aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery & broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.

Be careful. Strive to be happy.

Max Ehrmann

Peace!
Al

Posted by Replicant on Feb. 10 2005,5:43 pm

Wow. I'm stunned, literally. Thank you.

Safe traveling. Keep the ball in the fairway.

Posted by Samuel Clemens on Feb. 11 2005,11:35 am

Well put Max Ehrmann.

Posted by Replicant on Feb. 14 2005,10:17 pm

When are we going to see something in the newspaper about the apparent fact that the assistant fire chief isn't qualified to be a firefighter?

Who is this?

Posted by Liberal on Feb. 14 2005,10:55 pm

Paul Steiler, he's actually a building inspector and they made him the asst. chief several years ago. Your guess is as good as mine as to why they did such a screwball thing. Anyone that's been up to the inspection department will tell you that he's really good at drinking coffee and looking out the window so he'll fit right in as fire chief. And apparently he has attended some classes on firefighting even though he isn't a certified fire fighter. So I'm sure he's got the basic figured out like stop, drop, and roll... Push to talk... Point extinguisher towards fire and squeeze handle...

The answer to your question about the Tribune is easy, the answer is... Never, the Tribune will never print a story on it because the editors mother told her that if you can't say something good then you shouldn't say anything at all.

Posted by MADDOG on Feb. 14 2005,11:12 pm

Boy, Lib, you're really going after it.

You are right, though; the Tribune ain't got the ba11s to go after stories like that one.

I challenge them right here and now to try to scoop a story from this forum.

Come on, put something in the paper that's contoversial. Chicken craps.

Posted by Nose for News on Feb. 14 2005,11:28 pm

Don't Worry About the Tribune

Coming Soon
Public access TV will soon have daily broadcasts of local news topics like

The Fire Chief who couldn't.

Rain and Dark tax petitions.

Interviews with elected officials etc.

Stupidity will be exposed and then it will disappear.

Posted by Replicant on Feb. 25 2005,5:24 pm

As noted on another topic about the strike at Lyons, it was settled sometime recently but I've seen nothing in the Tribune about the settlement. The Trib had one or two front page stories about the possibility of strike and after it started.

You'd think one or both parties to the strike would want a story about the settlement:

1) The union - got what the rest of the shops in town get apparently.
2) Lyons - we gave the workers a fair settlement. Now come get your car serviced or buy a new one!

Of course, I would think the Tribune's news staff would want to follow up on a story they've previously reported.

Posted by shaker on Feb. 25 2005,10:16 pm

Follow up on a story---

? YOU GOT TO BE KIDDING, they most likely haven't heard about it yet. SAD.

Posted by Replicant on Mar. 08 2005,5:41 pm

I'll probably have to give up on this because it doesn't seem to get any response from the Tribune. I am very disappointed the lack of agressiveness to report on stories, or to follow up.

For instance, I still have seen nothing regarding the resolution of the Lyons strike.

So, another request.

Why was there nothing in today's Tribune (Tues. 3/8) regarding the legal opinion on the citizen petition to repeal the storm water and lighting fees? You certainly must have known about it in time.

Channel Six had it last night. KATE/KCPI had it this morning at 7 a.m. I listened to Power 96's newscast at 8 a.m. but they did not have it then.

I hope there will be something about it Wednesday. And please do a little investigating, because I don't think this effort is over yet. At least I hope not.

Posted by Replicant on Mar. 08 2005,8:40 pm

Always believe in giving praise when due too.

Although I personally don't have a lot of interest in the story, I commend the Tribune for carrying the Herald reporter's stories on the Telles murder trial.

I remember some forum posters spanked the Tribune for not initially carrying news of the murder when it happened last summer. But we're getting all the gory details now with descriptions of autopsy photos and more.

Posted by Replicant on Nov. 19 2005,1:43 pm

Another reminder that you don't realize what you'll miss until it's gone, and what you'll do to get it back...

Quote

After A Decade, Newspaper Back In MN Town
(AP) Atwater, Minn. While charges of U.S. government-sanctioned torture and riots in Paris led newspapers around the country during the second week of November, folks in this western Minnesota town were reading news of a $450 school levy hike and a friendly reminder about winter street parking regulations.

Small potatoes, maybe -- but a refreshing change for the residents of Atwater to read about their town after a decade with no local newspaper.

< Entire Story from WCCO >

The last part of the article was an interesting discussion of covering "hard" news:

Quote

One obvious question that's occurred to the Sunfish Gazette's board of directors is whether a newspaper that's a collective enterprise of a community can cover that community fairly.

Grussing said she doesn't feel constrained in what she can print -- but neither will she go out of her way to dig up the town's dirt.

"We'll print the good along with the bad, without sensationalizing it," Grussing said. "I'm not interested in yellow journalism."

Small-town papers traditionally don't carry much investigative or in-depth reporting as it is, Edmonds said.

"It's probably not practical professionally to have much hard-hitting news," Edmonds said. "I suppose you might say a paper without hard-hitting news is better than no paper at all."

Not that I wouldn't like to see more investigative reporting here at the Tribune. Are we too "small town"?

Posted by Ole1kanobe on Nov. 19 2005,6:36 pm

I don't think so much small town as controlled media.

Posted by Replicant on Dec. 19 2005,9:57 am

This story about some dude who stole $250 worth of junk furniture made front page above the fold on Friday 12/16. Slow news day I guess. A couch, a TV and a lamp, together worth $250, and that was the victim's estimate of value.

Ironic that a petty thief like this gets in-depth coverage. I'd like to see this kind of reporting about the behind-the-scenes workings of our local government.

< Junk furniture thief story >

Posted by Whiskero on Dec. 19 2005,10:43 am

What I find interesting is that this makes the front page, but over a month ago, Ag Power in Hollandale was robbed of all their handheld pieces of equipment and that still hasn't hit the paper.

Posted by Berserker on Dec. 19 2005,3:24 pm

I personally think that the hardest part of being a hard nosed reporter in Albert Lea is the over all size of Albert Lea. I mean it has already been stated that people from this site have had eggs and such thrown at them or their property. How many times would a hard nosed reporter get the dirt on some one or some thing before "official" like people of Albert Lea would simply shut this hard nosed reporter out? The Tribune has been advertising for a new reporter, but not sure how that is going. I would love to try my hand at that job but I do not have the journalist back ground they are seeking. Anyways, I am sure some of the thoughts and ideas of the people on this forum have gone through the minds of the current editor. It would be nice to see some interesting stories in the Tribune, however at the same time, is there really that much going on in Freeborn County? How many times can you write about Bok's disruption of the meetings? How many times can you write about the inability of the Council to attract new businesses? Or how the county has such deep divisions in the direction Albert Lea should take for its future?

Posted by Scurvy Dog on Dec. 19 2005,4:07 pm

Quote (Berserker @ Dec. 19 2005,3:24pm)

Go ahead and turn in a resume.

Ann Austin wasn't a journalist, either. She was hired to replace me as a proofreader when I left and stepped into a reporting job when it became available.

The worst thing that can happen is that they won't hire you.