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--> --> Poll: Voters mixed on Tidings' local news coverage Ashland Daily Tidings Internet voters were evenly split this week over the question, "How do you rate the Ashland Daily Tidings' coverage of local news?" a weekly poll shows. Of the 123 people who logged on to www.dailytidings.com this week, a slight majority of people said the Tidings' performance was better than the norm. Fourteen people, or 11 percent said the coverage was excellent, and 34 people, or 27 percent said it was above-average. Thirty-three people, or 26 percent thought it was simply average. Twenty people, or 16 percent said the Tidings offered below-average coverage, while 22 people, or 17 percent gave the news staff and editors a poor rating. The Tidings polling software allows only one vote per week per computer station. Voters also can leave their comments online by first voting then writing their views in the comment box. Internet browsers can read the comments during the week by going to the poll, clicking on "results," then "comments." This week's comments included: "Watchdog coverage is needed to cover outdated governmental structures to support current lifestyles - pro/con columns on local issues would be great." "On this one occasion, the Tidings did have better coverage on the monument issues than the Mail Tribune." "The local sports coverage has gotten better since the editor change. Before it was just Grizzly football and girls basketball." "I read local news in the Mail Trib. before I see it in Tidings, if I see it at all in the Tidings." "I read the Tidings and the Mail Tribune. The Tidings consistently has stories one or two days before the Tribune publishes the story." "Overall, the Tidings has done a good job of covering local news since Larry Berteau took over as editor. It's nice to see." "I can receive national news anywhere. I really appreciate the strong focus that The Daily Tidings puts on local issues." "Need more news, better copyediting. Too many spelling, sentence structure errors. Always room for improvement." "Your coverage seems incomplete many times. For example, why not follow up on stories and let us know how they really turn out." "I've read high school newspapers that cover local news better than you do!" "Regardless of the editor, the Daily Tidings always tries to brew a "tempest in a teapot" of local news, while neglecting news with a positive slant." "I often see events (bad) happen in town that NEVER make the paper!" "As with anything else, there is room for improvement, but the Tidings serves its purpose of keeping us informed of current issues and events in town." The Tidings new poll question, posted Saturday, is: "What type of ban, if any, should there be on fireworks in Ashland?" The Tidings weekly poll is an unscientific measurement of public opinion. Its sole purpose is to allow greater public input on a variety of community issues. Email your... Technical questions & comments to: WebMaster Daily Tidings editorial comments & questions to: Editor Visit our other Oregon Newspapers... | Albany Democrat-Herald | Ashland Daily Tidings | Corvallis Gazette-Times | | Lebanon Express | Newport News-Times | Springfield News | Cottage Grove Sentinel | Ashland Daily Tidings 1661 Siskiyou Blvd. Ashland, OR 97520 Telephone 541-482-3456 © Copyright 2001 Lee Northwest Publishing