In the two weeks since I stated my intent to conduct an informal, unscientific, non-binding poll of Triplicate readers, I have received 34 emails. My primary question was whether my contribution to this publication is useful or needed. Should I stay or should I go?
Thank you to all who took the time to write to me. Your feedback has been very supportive and informative.
I have decided to stay for a while.
Of the people who responded, 100% encouraged me to continue writing my column. 58% spoke about the importance of having balance. 39% identified Roger Gitlin as a reason that an alternative perspective is needed. 18% expressed opinions on whether I should write about national or international news events. The votes on this were evenly split for and against. I also got many good ideas for future columns which I will not highlight today.
In this column I will provide excerpts of some of the comments. To respect the privacy and confidentiality of the readers that wrote to me, I will keep the statements anonymous.
The following are sample snippets from some of the emails that I received:
“I call myself conservative but every week I find myself agreeing more and more with you. Maybe I’m now a centrist as so-called conservatives move further and further right. I certainly believe in fairness, equity, and the ability for all to succeed. So, my vote is stay.”
“I have appreciated your columns and would miss them if you made a ‘full-time commitment to retirement.’ I confess to having significantly less enthusiasm for “Eye on Del Norte”. And yet, I was delighted to learn that Roger Gitlin had volunteered you. There is no Ying without the Yang, and it is good to know that even he gets that. When I am considering not renewing my subscription, I think of your column and the scale tips in favor of maintaining it, so I write the check!”
“Does not matter whether we agree or not, your view (opposing or not) is of great value.”
“I enjoy your column. In fact, my recent subscription to the Triplicate is because your column is there to balance things for me. I’m a new resident and homeowner.”
“Please keep writing for the paper. The paper feels sooo conservative. You are the breath of fresh air each week that I look forward to. Now that Mr. Gitlin is becoming the most prominent reporter, he seems to be everywhere.”
“Your column in the Triplicate is one of the things that keeps me as a subscriber to this paper.
Your column is one that is upbeat and positive, giving a (may I say progressive) perspective. I value your opinion and point of view.”
“The Triplicate needs your level-headed input & balance. If you are looking for topics for future columns, might I suggest delving into how Roger Gitlin came to write all four articles on the front page of the Friday, January 6th edition of the Triplicate!? This is deeply concerning.”
“You do provide a community service by highlighting good things happening in local government. A lot of Del Norte folks like to denigrate what elected democrats do for the County, think State assembly, State senate and local congressman. You do a good job of factually setting the record straight.”
“I enjoy reading your work every week. It is refreshing to hear from the “political center/left” in our little newspaper, as it seems to have been captured by the good old boys of magaworld. How did Roger Gitlin get to be the main reporter for most articles on the front page?”
“Thank you for your weekly columns. I sincerely appreciate the positive and constructive tone of your columns. I find them to be a bright ray of sunshine in these cloudy times. I feel in many regards, your reports and reflections in your columns shine a light on that optimism and can-do attitude that is uplifting for us all.”
“I am a 20+ year resident of Crescent City and have always subscribed to the Triplicate. Like many others, for the past couple of years I have vowed to cancel it. But I remain faithful, and usually read every single page and article. Frankly, the only reason I remain subscribed currently is because of your column, and even Roger Gitlin’s column. He’s a goofball but sometimes I have to admit he has a point as well.”
I want to close with a few words addressing the criticism of the Triplicate and Roger Gitlin’s expanded role. First, I want to acknowledge how expensive and challenging it is to publish a paper newspaper these days. The Triplicate has had a hard time keeping regular reporters on staff, but I appreciate the efforts of all the Triplicate crew to put out a paper every week.
I will continue to do what I can to help fill a space in the weekly paper because I feel strongly that our community needs to have a newspaper that presents a variety of opinions. I believe the Triplicate agrees.
Whether you prefer to read my column or Roger’s, please continue to subscribe to the Triplicate.
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