WHIDBEY
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OPINION Page A6
WWW.WHIDBEYNEWSTIMES.COM
Wednesday, April 9, 2014 • Whidbey News-Times
If I have something to say, I’ve found it’s best to say it myself ed·i·to·ri·al adjective 1. of or relating to the commissioning or preparing of material for publication. “a pillar of scholarly publishing and editorial excellence” noun 1. a newspaper article written by or on behalf of an editor that gives an opinion on a topical issue.
PUBLISHER’S COLUMN
By KEVEN R. GRAVES
During my earliest years as a publisher, I struggled with writing editorials and columns. My apprehension stemmed from my much earlier days as a reporter. I was taught in journalism school that what I thought didn’t matter and should not have bearing on my reporting. Therefore, I kept my opinions and beliefs locked in the vault. When I started working as a publisher in 1999, writing editorials and opinion columns still made me feel uneasy. I avoided it like the plague. Over time, I learned that this ambivalence came with a cost. I began hearing rumblings in the community about what “the publisher” thought about this and that — even though such comments had never come out of my mouth. It’s rather surreal to be told what you’re supposedly thinking. On one hand, that showed I had done well in keeping my thoughts and opinions to myself. On the other hand, I don’t like my thoughts and opinions portrayed inaccurately, especially by someone attempting to satisfy their own agenda. I learned that readers expect the publisher — and newspaper — to have some kind of voice on the opinion page. It’s a tradition that goes back to the roots of newspapering. The journalist in me still struggles at times, but I have grown more comfortable with the task. I write it knowing that someone, maybe everyone, will disagree with what I have to say. But I own my words. One group of local bloggers, a gaggle of grumpy guys I’ve dubbed the “Mean Girls,” decided that my recent criticism of Oak Harbor’s closed-door meetings over the oak SEE GRAVY, A7
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Published each Wednesday and Saturday from the office of The Whidbey News-Times 107 S. Main St., Ste. E101 • P.O. Box 1200 Coupeville, WA 98239 (360) 675-6611 • (360) 679-2695 fax On the Internet at www.whidbeynewstimes.com
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Oak controversy
Mayor was right to take decisive action Editor, You needn’t have Comcast service. The Oak Harbor City Council meeting explaining the history of the post office oak tree takes about 51 minutes to watch. I encourage you to take the time. It is quite thorough. The video of that city council meeting is available on YouTube. Whidbey News-Times reporter Jessie Stensland’s article starts with an inflammatory headline and partial opinion quotes from people who were not fully informed, but felt sad and angry. The article does include some factual information. Imagine the impact if the headline had been something like this: “People of Oak Harbor spared danger of injury and property damage by felling of historic Garry Oak at post office.” I understand and agree with the executive session decision to cut the tree down on a Sunday when the least disruption of traffic and post office business would happen.
If the public were informed, there would have likely been protests and lawsuits. Those could only have extended the time and seriousness of risk of physical injury or property damage. “Roping off” the danger area would have closed two streets and the post office until the lawsuits and protests were resolved, which could have been months or years. Not an acceptable option. There are times when decisive actions must be made. This was one of those. Well done, Oak Harbor mayor and city council. Rufus Rose Clinton
becoming defensive in the face of our shock and grief. He treated us all like kindergartners with neither the brainpower nor the maturity to understand. He stole our tree, then made us wait days for an explanation. He broke any trust that existed between himself, his city council and the citizens they are all sworn to serve. I have never been more ashamed of the leaders of our town. Terry Ann Gallagher Oak Harbor
Whidbey history
Appreciate those local Citizens were treated treasures of times past like kindergartners Editor, Editor, Perhaps Oak Harbor Mayor Scott Dudley had good reasons for believing it was time to cut down our dear old oak tree, perhaps not. If he did, then he ought to have trusted those who elected him with the information in advance instead of breaking all our hearts twice by cutting it down in secret and then
Just a little note to say how much I appreciated Executive Editor and Publisher Keven Graves’ column in the April 5 edition. It was awesome, your find on the fact that the local paper is 124 years old. It was eye-opening, to say the least, to learn that the funding for Deception Pass bridge started at SEE MCCUTCHEON, A7
Executive Editor & Publisher........................................................................................ Keven R. Graves Marketing Representatives.........................................................................Phil Dubois, Debbie Leavitt Associate Publisher..............................................................................................................Kim Winjum Creative Manager................................................................................................................. Connie Ross Co-Editors........................................................................................ Jessie Stensland and Megan Hansen Lead Creative Artist...........................................................................................Michelle Wolfensparger Reporters.............................................................Michelle Beahm, Janis Reid, Ron Newberry, Jim Waller Creative Artists............................................................................................. Adine Close, Jennifer Miller Administrative Coordinator............................................................................................Renee Midgett Circulation Manager...................................................................................................... Diane Smothers Senior Marketing Representative...................................................................................Teri Mendiola Circulation Assistant........................................................................................................ Liam K. Graves IDENTIFICATION STATEMENT AND SUBSCRIPTION RATES The Whidbey News-Times (ISSN 1060-7161) is published semi-weekly by Sound Publishing on Wednesdays and Saturdays for $19 for 3 months, $29 for 6 months, $45 per year and $75 for 2 years delivered by carrier in island county from North Whidbey Island to Greenbank; $20 for 3 months, $32 for 6 months, $52 per year and $94 for 2 years delivered by in county mail from Greenbank to Clinton; $35 for 3 months, $65 for 6 months, $105 per year mailed out of county. Payment in advance is required. It is published by The Whidbey News-Times PO Box 1200, Coupeville, WA 98239. Periodicals rate postage paid at Coupeville, WA and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Whidbey News-Times, PO Box 1200, Coupeville, WA 98239. Copyright © 2014, Sound Publishing ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENTS: CABELAS, JCPENNY, LIFE LINE, COASTAL FARM & RANCH, SEARS, FRED MEYER
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