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Picked up the Herald Independent today only to find a letter heaping praise on me and my blogging, in particular the little bit of research I did into the 1981 issues of Community Herald (see my earlier post: About that "Precedent" ). So, as I'm reading the letter, I'm thinking , gee this is nice and unexpected, too.
...but, wait! What the hey, upon further review, I do believe the letter writer was being sarcastic. They didn't really think too much of my efforts at all. Oh, the pain!
The Herald correctly explained the point I was trying to make, which I won't belabor here, but I appreciated their explanation.
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
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Doesn't anyone have anything nice to say about anything? It's maddening.
ReplyDeleteDoug, I like your blog and have told you so in person. I know lot's of people who read it. Personally I really appreciate the time and effort you take to post community updates and research things for us.
Keep up the good work.
Doug,
ReplyDeleteI totally agree. Many of us out here appreciate it. Do we really need people trouncing on other people's efforts to communicate- especially in the form of sarcasm. No, we need folks who will just keep working at making things better.
Sue Carr
I am very glad the editor is correcting blatant misinformation in letters to the editor. I wish the paper had started doing that years ago.
ReplyDeleteHey anonymous,
ReplyDeleteThey probably haven't started correcting editorials before now because that would mean, in theory, that they should also be correcting actual news stories with misinformation. Phew, that would be a tall order, especially when covering School Board meetings.
The thing with Herald news stories is this - they are useful for finding out what the issues are, but maybe less useful for getting accurate information and details about those issues. Don't assume what you read is thorough or completely accurate. The don't have enough staff to cover everything and get it right all the time. But that's the beauty of living in a small town. You can pick up the horn and call an alder or schoolboard member and find out what is going on.
ReplyDeleteYah, right. Once upon a time, I called a School Board Member to ask if I was going to have to pay for roads in Cottage Grove.....oh, that's right!!! You already know the rest of THIS story!
ReplyDeleteNot sure what you mean by that, but sounds like you're gnawing an old bone which will get you, well, a gnawed old bone. Enjoy.
ReplyDeleteA retort might be:
ReplyDeleteI bought the bone and can chew on it as long as I like
Yet-this is not the way to think as we need to work toward a long-term future.
Me thinks lots of citizens are spending more time fleeing the crooked school district than gnawing old bones. Someone told me that at the annual meeting held by the School Board it was reported that district enrollment is DOWN by 91 students this year. Can you say budget-buster? And no, this didn't make Herald headlines. Imagine that. But you can bet that without a drastic increase in enrollment to offset the effect this will have on the state aid we receive, there are going to be bigger concerns than who is paying for Cottage Grove's roads.
ReplyDeleteWhat is happening with district enrollment decline is not families fleeing Monona. While there may a few anecdotal stories of this, it is not widepsread. What is happening is this. The large classes from Monona are graduating from the high school and the Monona kindergarten classes are about half the size of the seniors who are leaving. Input is not equaling output, and Cottage Grove enrollment increases are no longer enough to fill the gap. This pattern has been evident for many years, way before all the referenda fusses, so you cannot blame any of this demographic change on that. Further, the leadership of Monona has showed interest in in looking at the "graying" of Monona and how to attract young families. Monona is an awesome place for young families, but we have to let people know about it! The pool, the library, the Dream Park, and yes, good schools. I think there's a resurgence of positive energy in Monona and people need to get on jump on the band wagon or zip it up because all the moNOna negative energy has dragged us down for long enough. Good for Lisa Jo and Sue above. They are perfect examples of young parents who are ready to move on, and they represent a new generation of postiive leadership that is sorely needed.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteOuch. At least I sign my name. I am not going to debate with this person. I have had enough. Doug, you are a wonderful asset to this community- and that are lots of others who are working very hard to improve it-- I can take the bullying.
ReplyDeleteSue
Dear AnonyCoward,
ReplyDeleteBRAWKK, BRAWKK, BRAWKK
If you want to attack me and hide behind your anonymity, that's one thing. Kind of chiken-hearted, but I won't delete it.
HOWEVER, I will not allow you to attack other people who post here and have the cojones, so to speak, to sign their name - No, I'm not going to allow that. Get your own blog to spew that vitriol.