Sometimes operating a local newspaper feels like a game of Whac-A-Mole — no matter what hole you peek out of someone’s waiting there with a mallet. Take the current subject of IFPD, for example.
Some folk strongly oppose IFPD’s continued existence, wanting to replace it with Cal Fire. They may not get why the TC sponsored the recent IFPD candidate forum, or why we wrote a story publicizing efforts to gather donations for improving IFPD living quarters. They view this as the TC indirectly supporting IFPD by helping those who would perpetuate it.
Some folk strongly support IFPD’s continued existence. They may want to keep Hill control of our fire department and don’t get why the TC publishes ads proposing replacing IFPD with Cal Fire, or why we wrote a story publicizing views of people who oppose efforts to gather donations for improving IFPD’s living quarters. They view this as the TC indirectly opposing IFPD by helping those who would replace it.
We are willing to publicize the views from those on both sides of a controversy because the First Amendment guarantees freedom of speech and the press. Key to an effective democracy is an informed electorate.
A real newspaper helps inform voters by publicizing conflicting views. A town newspaper could decide as a matter of policy to cover nothing controversial at all — no proposition debates, no social disputes, no topics on which local people have any disagreement — just good news for everybody. Of course, then it wouldn’t be a newspaper at all — only a newsletter.
The comments we received regarding TC coverage of the Mountain Fire make clear to us that Hill people very much want a real newspaper serving our community, so we intend to carry on as such. And your TC display ads, directory listings, classified ads and legal notices will all go toward making that happen.
Becky Clark, Editor
