Reporter's Reflections Archive

News developments do not happen according to the newspaper deadline. Although I have rarely missed my deadline, there are times, I have felt, that I could not do thorough research for a story and meet the deadline. But in the newspaper business, the deadline is one of the only solid facets of life. The deadline, above all else, rules.

Many would say, “wait another week then,” but we all know our readers don’t want to wait for their news. I have, on one or two occasions, waited; not very often though, because there will be more news next week, and from then on, I’ll be a week behind.

 I also know, no matter how long I wait, no matter how much research, no matter how many phone calls I make, something will change or be added, or be missed. I know, no matter what, there will be some correction or addition after the piece has been printed.

It is a dilemma I struggle with weekly--but one that is especially challenging the first week of the month, when county commission, town council, and board of education all meet after the established deadline. Then, I have one day to research and write--all while answering the phone, last minute emails and formatting all the week’s photos.

No smalltown, or even big West Virginia town, reporter has the time or resources to give the whole story, no matter how hard we try. Not many reporters will admit it, but it’s the reality of the situation. It takes sometimes weeks to do research, time not limited to a deadline. I have three pending articles I have been researching for more than four months--and they still are not ready yet, but I hope to share them with you soon.

 Big city newspapers, like the New York Times, have research assistants, typists, proofreaders, and enough reporters on hand that each carries the burden of only one or two stories a week. But small newspaper reporters are on their own, and, many, as in my case, are responsible for writing and covering everything possible (I average five to six articles per week).

In reality, if you want to know the whole story--don’t count on me, or any other “reporting publication” covering area news. If you really want to know the whole story--take the time to attend the meeting or event yourself.

SPECIAL REFLECTIONS:

 Minnora CCCOA--Confusion for Some, Controversy for None

I would like to revisit the issue of a proposed Calhoun County Committee on Aging (CCCOA) branch at Minnora Community Center (MCC) lot. Last week, I reported that there was a problem with communication between the Calhoun County Building Commission (CCBC, owner of the building and property), MCC (which leases the building and property), and the county commission (which oversees both parties). This development came at the county commission meeting at 4 p.m. on Monday, Apr. 5.

 What you got last week was the “long story-short.” Consider this the “short story-long.”

Nearly 100% of the statements made concerning the issue during the county commission meeting were what I call secondhand statements. Donna Jordan was there on behalf of Kenny Bailey (MCC acting president). Dan McDonald (current president of CCBC) was there trying to speak for that commission and for Bill Jarvis (former president of CCBC). County commissioners, during the discussion, made statements giving their understanding of CCCOA director Mike Ritchie’s present frame of mind toward the project.

 I wrote last week’s article on the discussion at the county commission meeting, but did not take the time to directly contact Jarvis, Ritchie, or Bailey--the three leaders of the groups who have been or currently are directly involved. Also, I didn’t then have “the paperwork” involved in the project: CCCOA meeting minutes, and Ritchie’s letters to CCBC and to MCC.

 This was an instance when I should have waited that extra week before I wrote the story--but I didn’t.

 And now that I think about it, I should have also started at the beginning--because the commission meeting this month was just a comedy-of-errors type development in this story.

 I spoke with Ritchie last year about his vision of an Upper West Fork branch of CCCOA. At that time, he was searching specifically for a location on Rt. 16, preferably between Arnoldsburg and Minnora. Ritchie’s search was limited in two ways: the land needed to be out of flood-prone areas, and it had to be for sale within their budget. Even now, they are still $40,000 short of their $115,000 goal.

 After contacting current owners of such locations along the Upper West Fork, Ritchie could not find any one interested in parting with their land--or even part of it. At that time, Ritchie and his board revisited an idea that was presented to them many months prior.

 When MCC was struggling under poor leadership and slated to fail, a board member of the center asked Ritchie if CCCOA, (tenants of MCC) would consider assuming a stronger role of leadership for that location. CCCOA did not choose to do so, as its purpose is a “senior” center, and not a “community” center. When the search for locations was stalling, CCCOA revisited the idea of the MCC location.

 In January 2002, Ritchie was invited by Donna Jordan, (previous MCC president) to an MCC board meeting. Ritchie attended the meeting, but Jordan was the only board member who made it. At that time, the two discussed locations on the lot for a separate, new building for CCCOA--a conversation Jordan barely remembers, but which is reported on in the minutes of the next CCCOA meeting. Since that discussion took place, Jordan has resigned as president, and Kenny Bailey, vice president at the time, has stepped up to the plate.

 MCC, under the leadership of Jordan and Bailey, has made an almost-triumphant comeback. Still home to the satellite rooms of CCCOA, MCC regularly features professional wrestling and weekly casual community basketball games. The exercise room is stocked with equipment and aerobics classes have been available for months. More than a dozen flea markets and farmer’s markets are scheduled this summer and bookings for reunions are on the rise. Although they did have to dissolve the corporation and step back “under the umbrella” of the county commission due to an increase in insurance, MCC is still growing--all through the work of volunteers.

 As MCC recuperated, CCCOA kept moving forward with its proposal for a Minnora satellite site. As instructed, Ritchie began discussion with the building commission, the entity responsible for the property. After MCC dissolved its corporation, it was no longer the decision-maker for the property.

 When Ritchie approached CCBC in January of this year, Bill Jarvis was president. He has served as a volunteer on CCBC for 13 years, five as president.

 CCBC tabled its decision, and asked Ritchie to do a “site survey” of sort, establishing that there was feasible space for the required sewage system, building and parking. Jarvis expected Ritchie to get back to him, but Jarvis resigned later in the month, and Dan McDonald was elected president.

 This is the point where the “ball” got tossed in the air on the county’s side. The county commission hit the ball to CCBC, and the proposal was tabled at CCBC, pending Ritchie’s findings. No one, at this point, thought to ask MCC (now beholden to CCBC since dissolving its corporation) if they had any plans for the softball field location. The decision-making process had not yet reached that level. The focus of MCC’s activity has always been in the gym and old school building.

 But through the grapevine, the “so-called news” spreads and the whispering begins spreading incorrect information--“the Minnora center property is up for sale to the CCCOA.”

 Meanwhile, Ritchie was doing what he was asked to do. He and Shock’s Well Service visited the softball field and did the requested research, measures and checks. When the research was complete, Ritchie sent the findings in a letter to CCBC.

 Or, was it the county commission?

CCBC has no official address. There is no phone number in the phone book assigned to Calhoun County Building Commission. Since CCBC is a subsidiary of the county commission, Ritchie sent his letter to Richard Kirby, county clerk, addressed to the county commission.

The proposal was added to the county commission’s meeting agenda, not the CCBC agenda, where the proposal had been tabled. The agenda was then posted, and, according to open meeting laws, provided to any reporter who requested it.

Enter Curtis Johnson, reporter for The Parkersburg News. He saw the CCCOA proposal on the commission agenda, and realizes that it makes a good news story. I missed it, I admit. Likely, he has also heard of all the events at MCC. He asks Ritchie, Jordan and Bailey to meet him at the site at the same time.

 Johnson speaks with Ritchie about the proposed location and building of the new CCCOA satellite. When finished with Ritchie, Johnson speaks with Bailey and Jordan, and asks for their feelings about the new development.

 That was the first time Bailey had heard about the proposal-- and Jordan could barely recall the conversation she and Ritchie had about it several months before.

 This is an example of miscommunication. It is not a controversy. Not one person has objected to the proposed location and site. Of course, there was resulting “hubbub.” The MCC board felt “out of the loop,” as Jordan said, and the ripple reached--through phone calls, conversations, and other reports--back to Ritchie and the commissions.

 Following the county commission meeting, and the resulting news reports, Ritchie, Bailey and Jarvis, who were not at the meeting, have been figuratively standing back saying, “Whoa! What happened here?” because each has been doing exactly what they should be.

 Ritchie did as he was instructed by both the county commission and CCBC. Jarvis, McDonald and CCBC soundly tabled their decision until proper research was completed, and Bailey has offered all resources of MCC to his community. Johnson did his job as a reporter, and the county commissioners held off their decision, pending a referral from CCBC.

 Again--this is not a controversy. No person, or entity, has done anything wrong. It is, however, a very good example of bureaucracy.

One of three definitions for bureaucracy at www.dictionary.com reads: Administration of a government chiefly through bureaus or departments staffed with non-elected officials.

 This situation is a perfect example: Ritchie was dealing with one elected entity, and two non-elected entities composed of volunteers. Each entity was dealing with the CCCOA proposal as they are assigned. Unfortunately, none of the entities seem to have a method of communication. Thus, we have confusion.

Kenny Bailey, Bill Jarvis, Dan McDonald and Mike Ritchie were slated to meet on Tuesday, Apr. 13. The goal was to fill in the communication gaps, and discuss the project openly. No one is angry, and no one is against the project. The MCC softball field is still Ritchie’s request, as he has not been able to find that “perfect spot” along Rt. 16.

 Having a previous engagement, I was not able to attend the meeting. By the time it is over, I will have met my deadline. As no one is going into the meeting angry, I expect the discussion will be open, honest, and fruitful, and everyone will leave the meeting with a satisfied feeling.  

I’ll let you know--next week.