Media Monday 070611

Sometimes you just have to give the devil his due.  Sure, I love to criticize the “Tilghman Times”, but we are seeing more balance in their coverage and on the op-ed side of the paper.  The most recent example is their publication this morning of an excellent column by Salisbury Councilwoman Debbie Campbell concerning the city’s budget budget and overall fiscal management.  There recent publication of a column by former Councilman Bob Caldwell is another example.

I am sure that Greg Bassett and his crew will now point their history of the last few months and say, “See, we really are ‘fair and balanced’”.  Not quite Greg.

After moving Laren Hughes out to the hustings anything would seem a great improvement.  Katherine Crowell, who covers city politics, is a fine young writer and takes a decent stab at  balance.  Unfortunately, true balance will not be acheived until Ms. Crowell ends her practice of “he said - she said” journalism.

A prime example is this morning’s piece on the Salisbury City Council.   Just because you put quotes on something doesn’t make it factual.

“I just don’t see it in the budget,” Smith said of Caldwell’s request to keep any tax increase in the single-digits. “I’m still looking to see if there’s anything we’ve overlooked. I’m trying to keep within the 9-cent proposal. We’re trying to provide the firefighters with the raises requested. If we fall short it is because we just do not have the money.”

It has already been demonstrated that the city can live within the means of the current tax cap AND pay for public safety.  Ms. Smith and her cronies simply don’t have the desire to favor essential city services over the Mayor’s bureaucracy or her friends.

Overall though, I have to admit that their has been an improvement.

Technorati Tags: Salisbury, politics, salisburypolitics, LouiseSmith, DebbieCampbell, TilghmanTimes, Gannett, media, taxation, fiscalpolicy, publicsafety

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