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- Subscribe - Contact Us - Rate Card - Place an Ad Archives Revels Classifieds Real Estate Menu Guide Wedding Weather Subscribe Contact Us March 18, 2006 Downtown interest goes way back when A couple of weeks ago, following our editorials touting the merits of downtown planning, opponents of our editorial position raised the issue that the editor’s business interests were pushing the editorial position of the paper. Targeting someone personally rather than challenging their position is a common tactic in public debate. Also, a veiled, or at times not-so-veiled, assumption of conspiratorial allegiances is effective in discrediting a viable position. See Swift Boat Veterans for Truth as classic example number one. Throw the accusation around long enough and a measure of doubt is raised. The Tidings places a high value on public disclosure (see Editor’s Desk, March 17). The editor’s business interests outside of his employment at the Tidings have often been disclosed, but we prefer to err on the side of caution and again update the disclosure. This continual discussion is good for the community, and good for the newspaper. In this case, any suggestion that the Tidings’ editorial policy is jaded by the editor falls short of the facts. Our editorial policy of four points was first published two and half years ago, more than a year before the editor considered buying a downtown business. The priority of this policy stated then, “For future editorials on the this topic, the Tidings will use the following four goals, until convinced otherwise, to guide us in this ongoing debate: “First, the economic vitality of the downtown needs support.” This policy still enjoys unanimous support of the Tidings editorial board. It was crafted after several meetings with people interested in the downtown, including Jack Hardesty, Bill Street, Bryan Holley, Annette Pugh, Graham Lewis, Sandra Slattery and Gino Grimaldi, just to name a few. We re-stated that policy last month, by republishing our four editorial goals. Our statement at that time read: “That was our agenda then, laid out for all to take issue with. It remains our agenda now, again laid out for all to see. Perhaps other groups invested in the future of Ashland can be equally transparent with their agendas. Perhaps in the bringing forth of our collective hopes, dreams and ambitions for Ashland, a stronger sense of community will emerge.” We still welcome the positions of others. Next, it is important to note that Editor Andrew Scot Bolsinger’s interest in downtown redevelopment is documented in published articles dating back to 2001 in Harrisonburg, Va. He authored an award-winning column, “Downtown,” in two different newspapers, including The Ashland Daily Tidings. As the title suggests, Bolsinger has a long-standing fundamental interest in downtown life, economy and redevelopment as a proven antidote to the suburban sprawl of the 1970s. Ironically, much of the downtown business community would not share the views of the Tidings editorial position. Most would say they don’t want a new downtown plan and don’t want changes that could negatively impact their businesses. A joy of working at a local newspaper is the relative intimacy we have with people in the community. We are active in the local community because like many, we want to contribute to the community we call home. Some may find it bothersome that an editor has a life outside of work. But it is that life that has brought the entire editorial board here. We all — Bolsinger, City Editor Myles Murphy and Content Editor Mike Green choose to work here because we want to live here for a long period of time. Work for us comes second, after the place we want to call home for ourselves and our families. If that sways our editorial position, so be it. But to assert a conspiracy of private gain lies behind it simply does a disservice to the public debate that now exists, one that any good local newspaper would contribute to. DailyTidings.com Home Page Archives | Revels | Classifieds | Real Estate Guide | Weather | Subscribe | Contact Us Copyright 2005 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers All Rights Reserved Deep Muscle Stimulator Ceramic Piggy Banks FREE Entertainment Guide Women's & Men's Slippers Accelerate Weightloss Products Backpacks Generic Viagra Vegas Travel Guide Search Engine Optimization Sportsbook Absinthe Supply Student Loans Hotel & Airline Reservations African Safari Hammocks Helzberg Diamonds Online Casinos Community Bonus Casino King of Spirits ink cartridges Mortgage Calculator Security Systems Mailing Lists Click Here Advertisement .:Advertisements:. Site Search: RESOURCES - Mail Tribune News - ODOT Road Cams