Comments on: To the "Movers and Shakers of Sugar Grove” http://www.kenanderin.com/2007/12/28/to-the-movers-and-shakers-of-sugar-grove/ "Because bandwidth is cheap..." Sun, 27 Jul 2008 01:27:27 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: Ken Wiesner http://www.kenanderin.com/2007/12/28/to-the-movers-and-shakers-of-sugar-grove/#comment-139 Ken Wiesner Mon, 31 Dec 2007 22:50:34 +0000 http://www.kenanderin.com/2007/12/28/to-the-movers-and-shakers-of-sugar-grove/#comment-139 Thanks for the update Mari! While “poorâ€? may have been a “harshâ€? description, you are not the first to use that adjective. It is true that “showing upâ€? is an important step, however I find myself dwelling on the thought that publishing incorrect information is just as bad as publishing no information. (Especially when there are massive ramifications that effect political elections and referendums that determine the future of our community!) As far as seeking out the appropriate contacts, I believe that step has already occurred. Wearing my other hat for a moment... I know for a fact that a Library Press Kit was delivered to ALL of the papers regarding the new library site and building and yet only one paper, The Elburn Herald, has consistently and accurately reported the facts correctly. It’s extremely disturbing when someone does all the homework for you and all you have to do is copy and paste and yet information is STILL printed incorrectly. The Daily Herald is a much larger paper with considerably more resources available to them. If the Elburn Herald (which in comparison is a much smaller paper) can get it right, why can’t they? I have been informed by multiple sources that the Daily Herald will be addressing some of our concerns this Wed. While that is positive that they play on making a statement, it is disappointing to see that it’s taking them so long. After the statement was made about Joe Wolf and Citizen of the Year, an apology should have been written immediately and a retraction printed the following day. Does it sound like I’m picking on the Daily Herald? Yeah, maybe a little, but that’s only because I grew up reading the Daily Herald and when I see these horrible mistakes being made, it really disappoints me because I know they are capable of doing so much better. Thanks for the update Mari!

While “poor� may have been a “harsh� description, you are not the first to use that adjective. It is true that “showing up� is an important step, however I find myself dwelling on the thought that publishing incorrect information is just as bad as publishing no information. (Especially when there are massive ramifications that effect political elections and referendums that determine the future of our community!)

As far as seeking out the appropriate contacts, I believe that step has already occurred. Wearing my other hat for a moment… I know for a fact that a Library Press Kit was delivered to ALL of the papers regarding the new library site and building and yet only one paper, The Elburn Herald, has consistently and accurately reported the facts correctly. It’s extremely disturbing when someone does all the homework for you and all you have to do is copy and paste and yet information is STILL printed incorrectly. The Daily Herald is a much larger paper with considerably more resources available to them. If the Elburn Herald (which in comparison is a much smaller paper) can get it right, why can’t they?

I have been informed by multiple sources that the Daily Herald will be addressing some of our concerns this Wed. While that is positive that they play on making a statement, it is disappointing to see that it’s taking them so long. After the statement was made about Joe Wolf and Citizen of the Year, an apology should have been written immediately and a retraction printed the following day.

Does it sound like I’m picking on the Daily Herald? Yeah, maybe a little, but that’s only because I grew up reading the Daily Herald and when I see these horrible mistakes being made, it really disappoints me because I know they are capable of doing so much better.

]]> By: mari johnson http://www.kenanderin.com/2007/12/28/to-the-movers-and-shakers-of-sugar-grove/#comment-138 mari johnson Mon, 31 Dec 2007 21:36:20 +0000 http://www.kenanderin.com/2007/12/28/to-the-movers-and-shakers-of-sugar-grove/#comment-138 just to let you know, i did email nancy and bob at the daily herald and heard back from both. both are asking what else they can do to improve coverage. I suggested that they cultivate contacts in the many other organizations that exist and follow up. I was a little harsh and had said that their coverage was poor. I guess they are a step above poor as the beacon and chronice never even attend the village board meetings. Apparently, others have emailed him because he said he had heard from others. I am feeling better about having cancelled the subscriptions! mari just to let you know, i did email nancy and bob at the daily herald and heard back from both. both are asking what else they can do to improve coverage. I suggested that they cultivate contacts in the many other organizations that exist and follow up. I was a little harsh and had said that their coverage was poor. I guess they are a step above poor as the beacon and chronice never even attend the village board meetings. Apparently, others have emailed him because he said he had heard from others. I am feeling better about having cancelled the subscriptions!
mari

]]> By: Melisa Taylor http://www.kenanderin.com/2007/12/28/to-the-movers-and-shakers-of-sugar-grove/#comment-137 Melisa Taylor Sun, 30 Dec 2007 17:14:59 +0000 http://www.kenanderin.com/2007/12/28/to-the-movers-and-shakers-of-sugar-grove/#comment-137 Ken, I understand your frustration and I too have that frustration. For the record, I was saddened to see Joe come off the village board. I have a great deal of respect for him and his opinion. I truly value all of his words of wisdom that he gives me. It amazes me that 2 sentences in one newspaper can change the entire perception of one situation. The story should have brought all the attention to his endless effort he has put into his community and school district and the years of dedication and unselfish acts. The election loss was secondary. Take Care, Melisa Taylor Ken,
I understand your frustration and I too have that frustration. For the record, I was saddened to see Joe come off the village board. I have a great deal of respect for him and his opinion. I truly value all of his words of wisdom that he gives me. It amazes me that 2 sentences in one newspaper can change the entire perception of one situation. The story should have brought all the attention to his endless effort he has put into his community and school district and the years of dedication and unselfish acts. The election loss was secondary.

Take Care,

Melisa Taylor

]]> By: Beverly Holmes Hughes http://www.kenanderin.com/2007/12/28/to-the-movers-and-shakers-of-sugar-grove/#comment-136 Beverly Holmes Hughes Fri, 28 Dec 2007 22:49:01 +0000 http://www.kenanderin.com/2007/12/28/to-the-movers-and-shakers-of-sugar-grove/#comment-136 I also was outraged by this statement about Joe and the Citizen of he Year Award ("perhaps the consolation prize for being ousted from the village board.") I am at a low point in my appreciation of the Daily Herald coverage of Sugar Grove. This is what I wrote to the reporter and her editor: Nancy / cc Bob I am horrified that this statement was made. Neither Joe, nor the Citizen of the Year Award, deserve the negative connotation implied by this statement. Since 1998 the Village of Sugar Grove and the Chamber of Commerce have been proud to co-sponsor the Citizen of the Year award program that recognizes the outstanding contributions of individual effort or group effort by those who continually give of their time, dedication and talents to the community. Whether through individual community service projects and programs or numerous community organizations, the “Citizen of the Yearâ€? exemplifies that pioneering spirit in helping our village grow and prosper. Joe was selected from among the applications received for the 2007 award. It was the committee opinion that he deserved this recognition based on his years of service and commitment to the community. This is indicated in the Chamber press release: "Joseph R. Wolf, 'Joe' to one and all, has been a resident of Sugar Grove for over 47 years and is married to Barb, they have three adult children. Wolf has been involved in serving the Community in many capacities over the years, most recently as Village Trustee. This commitment was a growth experience which began with his involvement reading water meters. He then moved on to the Public Utilities Rate Committee, and served on the Kaneland Community School Board for over fifteen years. After retirement as a tool and die journeyman from Seal Master Bearings, a job he loved and held for forty-six years, Wolf became involved in the Education to Careers program. He is also active in the community through his service to his church, the Sugar Grove United Methodist Church." To print such a statement that places his honor in the history books as a possible "consolation prize" serves only to devalue the award, the individual, and your publication. I hope that you will reconsider the intent of the statement. In the future I hope that you are able to remove the public blemish from the award that recognized Joe for his lifetime of achievement, verify the facts, and work to accurately review the history of Sugar Grove. Beverly Holmes Hughes, director@sugargrove.lib.il.us 1.630.466.4686 IM name: SugarGroveInfo What I heard back from the reporter Nancy was that I should feel free to write a letter to the editor and that she was writing a piece on Wednesday and would like permission to quote some from my above statement. What I didn't hear from her was any recognition of how innappropriate her comments were. Mari might have the right idea... Beverly I also was outraged by this statement about Joe and the Citizen of he Year Award (”perhaps the consolation prize for being ousted from the village board.”) I am at a low point in my appreciation of the Daily Herald coverage of Sugar Grove. This is what I wrote to the reporter and her editor:

Nancy / cc Bob
I am horrified that this statement was made.

Neither Joe, nor the Citizen of the Year Award, deserve the negative
connotation implied by this statement.

Since 1998 the Village of Sugar Grove and the Chamber of Commerce have been proud to co-sponsor the Citizen of the Year award program that recognizes the outstanding contributions of individual effort or group effort by those who continually give of their time, dedication and talents to the community. Whether through individual community service projects and programs or numerous community organizations, the “Citizen of the Year� exemplifies that pioneering spirit in helping our village grow and prosper.

Joe was selected from among the applications received for the 2007
award. It was the committee opinion that he deserved this recognition
based on his years of service and commitment to the community. This is indicated in the Chamber press release: “Joseph R. Wolf, ‘Joe’ to one and all, has been a resident of Sugar Grove for over 47 years and is married to Barb, they have three adult children. Wolf has been
involved in serving the Community in many capacities over the years,
most recently as Village Trustee. This commitment was a growth
experience which began with his involvement reading water meters. He
then moved on to the Public Utilities Rate Committee, and served on
the Kaneland Community School Board for over fifteen years. After
retirement as a tool and die journeyman from Seal Master Bearings, a job he loved and held for forty-six years, Wolf became involved in the Education to Careers program. He is also active in the community
through his service to his church, the Sugar Grove United Methodist
Church.”

To print such a statement that places his honor in the history books as a possible “consolation prize” serves only to devalue the award, the individual, and your publication.

I hope that you will reconsider the intent of the statement. In the
future I hope that you are able to remove the public blemish from the
award that recognized Joe for his lifetime of achievement, verify the
facts, and work to accurately review the history of Sugar Grove.

Beverly Holmes Hughes, director@sugargrove.lib.il.us
1.630.466.4686 IM name: SugarGroveInfo

What I heard back from the reporter Nancy was that I should feel free to write a letter to the editor and that she was writing a piece on Wednesday and would like permission to quote some from my above statement.

What I didn’t hear from her was any recognition of how innappropriate her comments were.

Mari might have the right idea…

Beverly

]]> By: mari johnson http://www.kenanderin.com/2007/12/28/to-the-movers-and-shakers-of-sugar-grove/#comment-135 mari johnson Fri, 28 Dec 2007 21:20:37 +0000 http://www.kenanderin.com/2007/12/28/to-the-movers-and-shakers-of-sugar-grove/#comment-135 ken, thanks for pointing out the obvious. i too have commented on the replacement of our reporters. i did so in the official questionnaire that was in the daily herald. I took the time to fill it out, mail it and even included my name so that they could contact me. no such luck! I recently decided that to continue to subscribe when the coverage is so bad, was not worth my money. so, i am happy to say, i am now newspaper-free! I say, read more books! ken,
thanks for pointing out the obvious. i too have commented on the replacement of our reporters. i did so in the official questionnaire that was in the daily herald. I took the time to fill it out, mail it and even included my name so that they could contact me. no such luck! I recently decided that to continue to subscribe when the coverage is so bad, was not worth my money. so, i am happy to say, i am now newspaper-free! I say, read more books!

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