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| Newspaper will fulfill watchdog role |
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| Opinion | |||
| Written by Doug Carder | |||
| Wednesday, 28 January 2009 08:00 | |||
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We have received comments from a few readers who think the Herald has tried to cover up the story about Broadmoor Elementary School Principal Deborah Blancarte facing felony drug charges. Her preliminary hearing is set for Tuesday (See related story). The cover-up allegation is absolute nonsense. Yes, we missed the fact charges were filed Dec. 1. We were in the process of training a new court reporter in early December, and the person in charge of gathering that information failed to pick up this report. The omission does reflect poorly on us, but the reporter is human. We make mistakes. We’ve taken steps to ensure this doesn’t happen again. We posted a story on our Web site — www.herald-online.com — under the breaking news headline at the top of the page within one hour of learning about the charges Friday. The story generated more than 800 hits in less than 24 hours. We reported the story first, before any other newspaper or television station or radio station carried it. You can rest assured we will cover the preliminary hearing Tuesday and report those results as well. We will be following this case through to its resolution. We take no pleasure in having to report this bad news. We realize this story will be painful for the accused as well as school officials, especially in a small community. But we have an obligation to inform our readers, in good times as well as bad. I took comfort in what Carol Chitwood told me Friday during her retirement party at the Osawatomie Graphic, where she worked for more than 45 years. She served in an editor’s role during a time when the newspaper business was a man’s world. She was tough, but always fair and accurate. “Through the years, I had to do stories that would just break my heart, and I lost some friends over stories,” Chitwood said. “But you have to report the story. You have to carry on.”
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Comments (9)
a guest: ...
I for one thank you for what you are doing and reporting..goodness knows we would still be in the dark if it wasn't for the Herald since the school board obviously feels that the parents don't need to know what is going on in the school where our children attend.
1
January 28, 2009
a guest: ...
The School Board should be the ones apoligizing for not reporting the incident to the parents and community. Once again USD 416 has fouled up!!
2
January 28, 2009
a guest: ...
I hope that the paper takes a watchdog role in a fair and responsible manner. That means stand up and do teh right thing. Start questioning Mr Doll and school board members on why they covered up this story. Why is someone under investigation for a felony not off on paid leave till the matter is cleared up if it is a simple mistake. The Herald should be the guardin of the community and serve the people but if it is going to be timid and weak as it has in the past, it will be seen as the mouth piece of the powers of the communit not the people. I hope that the editors and reporters of the Herald grow up and get a backbone to ask the tough questions and push for answers. I won't believe till I see it.
3
January 30, 2009
a guest: ...
"You can rest assured we will cover the preliminary hearing Tuesday and report those results as well."
Well? 4
February 03, 2009
a guest: ...
where is the police report? where is the information that a watch dog would provide? Where's the beef?
5
February 03, 2009
a guest: ...
Since when, in the USA, is a person guilty until proven innocent? Having been victimized myself by "Louisburg's Finest", I would not believe the alegations behind any arrest made by an officer of the LPD. If I ever choose to release the information I hold in regard to these lynch mob lunatics, there will be more news than The Louisburg Herald can handle!
6
February 03, 2009
a guest: ...
Info on Louisburg's Finest... What a cop out, if you had anything you would have already jumped on it.
By the way where is it stated that Blancarte was arrested by Louisburg's Finest? I don't remember reading any where on the Sheriff's report that she was ever arrested by Louisburg's Finest. However, I have read that the County Attorney has filed charges against her. 7
February 04, 2009
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